BEE and BSW-Solar say the proposed EEG 2027 changes could weaken investment, slow solar deployment, and put jobs at risk
Germany's renewable energy industry has urged lawmakers to overhaul the draft Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) 2027, cautioning that the legislation could suppress rooftop solar investments and decelerate the nation's energy transition. The German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) and the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) contend that the package introduces investment uncertainty and threatens employment as well as future capacity expansion. Conversely, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) states that the policy is designed to align green energy growth with grid capacity, EU-mandated resilience auctions, and storage integration while making expansion more cost-efficient and market-oriented.
Under the proposed framework, the government favors ground-mounted photovoltaic installations over rooftop systems, raising the annual auction volume for first-segment ground projects from 9.9 GW under EEG 2023 to 14 GW annually for the 2027 to 2032 period. The policy also discontinues innovation tenders to focus exclusively on resilience tenders. A central grievance for the solar sector is the elimination of feed-in tariffs for new rooftop photovoltaic systems up to 25 kW starting in 2027, which the BEE describes as a vital incentive for households and small businesses.
Additionally, the draft legislation lowers the threshold for mandatory direct marketing to systems below 100 kW following a 36-month transition period, offering a temporary payment lower than the current feed-in tariff. The ministry defends the change by noting that smaller installations can no longer rely on a produce-and-forget model now that renewables anchor the electricity supply system. However, industry representatives estimate this shift will increase administrative burdens and slash small-scale photovoltaic demand by roughly two-thirds, while also endangering small hydropower facilities.
BSW-Solar warns that removing support for small rooftop systems could erase billions of euros in investments and endanger tens of thousands of jobs across the solar sector and skilled trades. Carsten Körnig, CEO of BSW-Solar, stated that the plans are entirely obsolete and maintain private household reliance on fossil fuels. The organization further criticized proposals allowing grid operators to reduce renewable output without compensation during congestion, enforce power limits, and potentially bill developers for connection expenses, which could render parts of Germany no-go zones for renewables.
The BEE also raised objections regarding Contracts for Difference applying to new renewable installations of 100 kW or larger, excluding biomass, which require projects to return excess revenue during high-price periods. Industry participants argue these rules complicate power purchase agreements and restrict flexibility, with BEE President Ursula Heinen-Esser warning that green electricity could become too costly for industrial consumers and harm national business competitiveness. The associations are pressing Parliament to substantially alter the draft to better encourage storage, energy sharing, and grid expansion.
Originally reported by TaiyangNews on Jul 27, 2026.
