Stagnating demand

The stumbling blocks in the expansion of photovoltaics

2023 was a record year for expansion, this year there is likely to be less output.

(Bild: Imre Antal)

"Unfortunately, the federal states are holding back the energy transition," complains Vera Immitzer, Managing Director of Photovoltaik Austria. Sluggish grid expansion, "dusty" state laws and a lack of overview of feed-in capacities are hampering the expansion of solar power.

Between 2.7 and 3 gigawatts were added in 2023. The exact capacity added cannot yet be determined precisely. However, this already reveals the first problem: there is no overview of either the quantities fed into the grid or the potential capacities. One of the aims of the Electricity Industry Act is to create this overview. The industry is still calling for rapid implementation here, as well as for the Renewable Energy Acceleration Act. "This should not fail due to the domestic political election campaign," emphasizes Immitzer.

In general, the industry representative is not particularly optimistic that as much output will be added this year as in 2023. A lot is still being processed at the moment, but fewer new orders are being added. A PV system currently costs between 1,200 and 1,300 euros per kilowatt peak. A typical system with 8 kWp therefore costs around 10,000 euros.

According to industry representatives, 2023 was an exceptional year. On the one hand, the energy crisis has accelerated many people's desire for an affordable energy supply. However, it would be too short-sighted to simply talk about external factors. The biggest problem area is the grids. Too little progress has been made here because projects in recent years have been geared more towards current rather than future demand.

Vera Immitzer: "We need the legal framework quickly."

(Bild: Thomas Unterberger)

Grids and storage systems are not yet equipped for expansion
In many places, the expansion and creation of new feed-in capacities is therefore being delayed. As a result, photovoltaic owners are unable to "connect" their electricity to the grid at all - they are not given access, which incidentally is also associated with a connection fee. This situation naturally curbs the will to invest. In addition - as the "Krone" reported - many had calculated on higher feed-in tariffs and are now disappointed.

Herbert Paierl, Chairman of PV Austria, pleads: "We need grids, grids, grids. To achieve the target, we need to add two gigawatts a year, which is not sustainable without a major grid expansion".

The need to catch up is greatest on open spaces; too much is currently being built on roofs.

(Bild: Christian schulter)

"Federalist patchwork of laws"
In addition, there is a "patchwork" of laws across the federal states, some of which seem bizarre: while a PV system in Lower Austria does not require a permit according to building regulations, a system 100 meters away in Burgenland requires a permit from 20 kW. The regulations also vary between the neighboring provinces of Tyrol and Salzburg. In Salzburg, systems are always permit-free, while in Tyrol they must be notified from 50 kW and require a permit from 250 kW. "We are dealing with 27 different types of legislation," emphasizes Immitzer. This is because building law, natural law and electricity law differ to some extent depending on the region. "Federalism beats common sense here," says Paierl, himself a former regional politician. He pleads for a harmonization of the legal situation.

Too few areas
The next stumbling block is the lack of space. According to Immitzer, the ambitious photovoltaic targets can hardly be achieved on roofs alone. Only four federal states (Styria, Lower Austria, Burgenland, Salzburg) want to actively designate more areas on meadows etc. for photovoltaics. A great deal is currently happening in private households, but in order to achieve the targets, 40 percent of the additional capacity would have to be added to open spaces in the future. Commercial and industrial companies are also still facing an expansion of solar power, and the areas are to be used in many places.

There is also a lack of personnel capacity
However, it is not only the areas that are lacking capacity, but also the authorities themselves, especially in terms of personnel. Some of the offices are overstretched. While the installation of a typical system can be completed in just three to four months, approval and connection to the grid takes a particularly long time

In addition to bureaucracy and networks, a survey of member companies also mentioned the shortage of skilled workers. The large-scale expansion requires numerous well-trained employees to install the photovoltaics. The fact that skilled technical workers are generally in short supply is also noticeable in the PV sector. In general, however, Paierl emphasizes: "The industry is ready for expansion!"