German parliament has approved the amended renewable energy act, EEG (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz), with changes of surcharges on self-consumption and generated power on Friday, June 27, to enter in full force on August 1.
The modified law will allow surcharging on self-consumption of power for PV systems over 10kW. The surcharge will gradually increase, starting with a 30% rate in 2015, rising to 35% in 2016 and 40% in 2017. Consumers who generate more than 10MWh per year will be exempted from the levy.
German PV industry group BSW Solar has criticised the new reform and stated that the 10kW limit is too low, according to PV Tech. Small to medium-sized businesses will be levied for self-consumption while heavy industries will be freed from shares of cost.
Other changes relate to the surcharge for imported renewable power. A new section was added to allow tenders from other European countries and to enable financial support that shall be open to power from European countries, with a goal of covering at least 5% of newly installed capacity.
The government has amended the EEG in swift procedure after the European Commission has called for modifications or otherwise the EU would try to repeal the law at the European Court of Justice. June 27 was the last date to pass the law in order to enable German industries to apply for rebates for 2015.
If the adjusted EEG reform will come to full force is not yet assured. It still is to be debated on July 11 in the upper house by state leaders. The European Commission already commented that it does not accept industry privileges of own power consumption and will investigate whether the exemption violates competition rules.
