German govt votes to fast-track rooftop solar grid connection

The German government has approved law changes to accelerate grid connection for renewable energy systems with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic (PV) installations of up to 500 kW.

The new rules are part of the amendment of the Electrical Properties Verification Regulation (NELEV) and the goal is to remove barriers to renewable energy deployment, the economy ministry said on Wednesday.

In the future, connections to grid connection points will be expedited through simplified certification processes and increased digitisation. This concerns facilities in the sub-500 kW segment, where significant growth is anticipated. As a result, photovoltaic rooftop systems on both commercial and residential properties are expected to gain substantial benefits from these regulatory changes.

A central point in the new rules is the exemption from the certification requirement for all systems with an installed capacity of up to 500 kW and a maximum feed-in power of 270 kW regardless of the voltage level of the network. For such installations, system certificates are no longer required but unit and component certificates from the manufacturer are now sufficient.

Previously, only systems connected to a public low-voltage network were exempted from certification.

To enable the application of the broader exemption rules as quickly as possible while ensuring system security of the power grid, the technical connection rules will be revised promptly and a digital register for unit and component certificates at all voltage levels will be created.

The new rules are expected to resolve the certification backlog that in recent years caused delays in the commissioning of new solar installations of up to 500 kW.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!