Photovoltaic crisis: Ten percent decline threatens Austria's energy future

Photovoltaic crisis: Ten percent decline threatens Austria's energy future

Österreich - The photovoltaic industry in Austria is faced with worrying developments. According to the Federal Association Photovoltaic Austria (PV Austria) A decline in the newly installed Photovoltaic performance forecast by 10 %. This acceptance follows for eight years of continuous growth and is attributed to unclear funding conditions, the tense economic situation and lack of political support.

A total of 2.2 gigawatt (GW) in Austria were reinstalled in Austria. This number is largely based on the completion of up -road projects from past years and on a handful of large open space projects. At the same time, the small plant segment benefited from an exemption from VAT, which, however, will soon be eliminated. The survey among the companies shows that 75 % of a falling interest in small PV systems assumes.

The role of the federal government

The PV industry urgently demands new framework conditions on the part of the federal government to keep the expansion of photovoltaics constant. If no suitable measures are taken, rising electricity prices threaten, which could also put a strain on the economic situation of many companies. The Federal Government has already announced that it is working on covering the entire electricity requirement by 2030 through renewable energies and controllable power plants. Legislation for the change in energy management law is intended to help master the challenges through electricity tips on the network.

An important part of the future of photovoltaics is the improved integration of the systems into the electricity system. A new regulation allows it that negative prices do not pay a state-funded feed-in tariff for new photovoltaic systems. At the same time, the systems should be able to market their electricity more easily in the future.

legal framework and goals

Austria has created a clear legal framework with the Ernertarbare-Ausbau-sgesetz (EAG) from 2021 to combat climate change. The aim of Austrian energy policy is to increase electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 by 27 Terawatt hours (TWH). For photovoltaics, for example, an increase from 2.213 GW is intended to 13 GW, while the wind power from 3.110 GW should increase to 10 GW.

The EAG enables financial support for systems for electricity generation from renewable sources through market premiums and investment grants that can be applied for. In order to ensure the economy of expansion, however, technological standards and sustainability criteria must be observed.

The way to the future

The future of photovoltaics in Austria faces challenges, the coping of which is crucial for the stability of the industry and the energy transition. The lack of measures could not only reduce electricity prices, but also endanger the energy transition as a whole. The PV industry therefore appeals to the government to make the necessary course in order to fully exploit the potential of renewable energies and to make the energy supply sustainably.