Clarification Needed for Solar Peak Regulation, Says Industry Association

Recent months have brought valuable experience for installation and electrical companies working with the newly introduced Solar Peak Regulation. However, industry stakeholders report that many questions remain about how the rules should be applied in practice. To address these issues, a professional trade association has compiled its concerns and recommendations into a position paper submitted to the relevant government ministry. The key areas of concern mainly involve uncontrolled photovoltaic (PV) systems with capacities under 25 kWp.

New Law Limits Active Power Feed-In for PV Systems

The Solar Peak Regulation, which took effect in February 2025, aims to prevent sharp drops in electricity prices caused by excessive solar generation during periods of high output. The policy requires PV systems to become controllable as part of the ongoing smart meter rollout. Small plug-in balcony systems with inverter capacities of up to 800 watts are exempt. For installations above 7 kWp, however, intelligent metering systems and control devices are mandatory.

Until this rollout is completed — a process that experts say may take considerable time — new PV systems must limit their active power feed-in to 60 percent of their rated capacity.

Different Interpretations Among Installers and Grid Operators

Although the industry association supported the new regulation during the consultation phase, differences in interpretation have since emerged between installers and grid operators regarding implementation. The complex regulatory environment often leaves even experienced professionals uncertain about compliance requirements. This confusion increases the risk that installed systems may later need technical modifications, resulting in extra costs for operators and potential legal disputes between customers and installers.

To highlight these issues, the association has issued a position paper requesting greater clarity and consistency from authorities.

Energy Storage Systems Misclassified as “Fictional Plants”

One of the most contentious issues involves battery storage systems that operate exclusively on solar power. Some grid operators reportedly classify such systems as “fictional plants,” thereby subjecting them to the same 60 percent feed-in limit as the PV generators they accompany. Industry representatives argue that this interpretation discourages system owners from adding batteries, even though energy storage is a critical tool for balancing grid load and capturing solar production peaks during midday hours.

To encourage broader use of solar battery storage, experts recommend explicitly applying the 60 percent limit only to power generation units — not to connected storage systems.

Regulatory Uncertainty Around Storage Expansion

Falling prices for battery modules have led many PV owners to consider expanding existing storage systems. Yet, the rules governing such expansions remain unclear. According to industry feedback, upgrading a storage system could potentially void its grandfathered status, creating uncertainty about compliance and deterring reasonable upgrades. To avoid this outcome, experts suggest maintaining legal protection for existing systems that undergo moderate capacity expansion.

Need for Uniform Rules on System Control

Another area of ambiguity lies in the control requirements for PV systems under the new regulation. Installers are tasked with ensuring that customer systems comply with multiple, sometimes conflicting, legal frameworks. The revised provisions under the Renewable Energy Act require system owners to enable the control of feed-in power, allowing for self-consumption optimization — a feature broadly welcomed by the industry.

However, existing grid management rules under separate energy legislation still refer to the control of power generation, not feed-in. This discrepancy means that, during grid interventions, PV systems may be curtailed entirely, preventing owners from using their own generated electricity and forcing them to purchase power from the grid. Such inconsistencies create uncertainty around the economic viability of PV investments and complicate system planning and installation.

Call for Clear, Unified Guidelines

To ensure clarity for all system operators, the industry association recommends standardized national guidelines governing the controllability of PV systems. These rules, it suggests, should focus solely on feed-in performance, as intended under the Renewable Energy Act, rather than on total generation.

The association emphasizes that streamlined regulations would not only increase legal certainty for businesses and consumers but also strengthen confidence in the energy transition process. Simplifying administrative procedures and clarifying technical requirements would help accelerate the deployment of solar energy and energy storage systems, ensuring a smoother path toward a more resilient and sustainable energy future.