What models currently exist to promote photovoltaic systems on multi-unit buildings, and how can the regulatory framework be improved to further accelerate expansion?

On 25 April 2023, a three-hour expert workshop in a hybrid format was held as part of the project "Restrictions of the EEG Regulations for the Use of PV Electricity in the Building Sector". At the workshop, entitled "Models for the Generation and Use of PV Electricity for multi-party Buildings", three different models for the generation and use of PV electricity for multi-party buildings were presented in keynote speeches and then discussed with the expert audience:

• Einführung, Projektvorstellung, Michael Jakob (Ecologic Institut), Tobias Kelm (Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW)
  • Presentation slides can be found here.
• Input #1: The prosumer model. Speaker: Kay Gröne (HOWOGE Wohnungsbaugesellschaft)
  • Presentation slides can be found here.
• Input #2: The city prosumer model. Speaker: Peter Stratmann (Bundesnetzagentur)
  • Presentation slides can be found here.
• Input #3: Best practice prosumer models in Austria. Speaker: Andreas Türk (Joanneum Research Graz)
  • Presentation slides can be found here.

In the project funded by the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR), Ecologic Institute and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) analyse and evaluate different system concepts and their economic viability. Existing legal, technical and economic barriers to the expansion of photovoltaic systems on buildings are identified and recommendations for improving the regulatory framework are developed.

Plant operators of PV plants on multi-party houses - regardless of whether they are apartment buildings or condominium communities - face special challenges, since self-consumption of the electricity generated on the roof is not possible within the meaning of the law if there is no identity of the plant operator and the end consumer as required by the EEG. The workshop contributes to the question of how the resulting difficulties regarding the purchase of residual electricity, transaction costs, administrative effort and measurement technology can be addressed in order to better exploit the potential of rooftops of multi-family dwellings.