June 17, 2025, 4:50 am | Read time: 3 minutes
This year, around 20,000 solar systems in Germany are turning 20 years old, which brings several changes. Here’s what operators of older PV systems need to know.
In 2023, about 20,000 photovoltaic systems in Germany will reach 20 years of age and thus fall out of the support provided by the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). By the end of the year, operators of old solar systems will still have the option to feed the electricity they generate into the grid, but they must prepare for reduced subsidies.
Why is the support for old solar systems ending?
In the early 2000s, solar systems were significantly more expensive and less popular than they are today. To promote the expansion of solar energy, the German government decided to support solar power from private rooftops. The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) established a fixed payment for each kilowatt-hour fed into the grid. In 2003 and 2004, the payment was mostly around 50 cents per kilowatt-hour. As a result, many households installed photovoltaic systems that fed all the electricity they generated into the public grid.
However, this support was time-limited. Legally, it was stipulated that the support would be granted for 20 years from the commissioning of the system. This means that this year alone, around 20,000 solar systems will lose the lucrative feed-in tariff.
How long can the old system still be operated?
The old solar systems can continue to operate, as a follow-up regulation was already devised in 2020. According to this, operators of solar systems older than 20 years can continue to feed into the grid until 2027. However, the feed-in tariff is significantly lower–it amounts to a maximum of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. For comparison: 20 years ago, the payment was 45.7 cents.
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What can operators of old systems do now?
Operators of old systems now have a new option, as informed by the experts at Stiftung Warentest. For the first time, they have the option to consume the electricity they generate themselves or offer it on the market through direct marketing.
- Full feed-in: Due to the follow-up regulation, operators of old systems have the option to continue feeding their electricity into the grid until 2027. They receive a payment of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, without any further steps required. Full feed-in is the simplest option.
- Partial feed-in: Owners of systems that have previously fed exclusively into the grid have the option to switch to partial feed-in. This means that the generated solar power can also be used within the building itself. For new PV systems, this partial feed-in is already common due to the low feed-in tariff. The system should be converted by an electrician.
- Self-consumption: There is also the option to switch the system to self-consumption to reduce personal electricity costs. However, this conversion involves some investment and bureaucracy.
myHOMEBOOK Consumer Tip
“Operators of old solar systems should have their specialist company check how efficient the system still is. After all, technology has continuously developed. The experts are most familiar with the respective technology and can make recommendations about continued operation. However, the check should be requested in good time, as it can take a while to get an appointment. The costs for this are between 200 and 300 euros.”