1. Planning security as a central signal to the market

The new price cap applies uniformly to all tenders in the coming year and provides market participants with clarity at an early stage. Project developers can align their bidding strategies on a more long-term basis, operators receive a reliable basis for profitability calculations and investors gain a reliable frame of reference for financing decisions. Plannability plays a crucial role, especially in the roof segment, where projects often depend heavily on individual site conditions.

At the same time, the definition clarifies the claim of the Federal Network Agency, Funding instruments cannot be handled statically. Instead, regulatory guidelines should be regularly adapted to real market conditions. Falling technology costs and efficiency gains are directly incorporated into the design of the funding.

2. New upper limit for solar power from the roof: differentiated regulation according to market segments

The new upper limit specifically affects photovoltaic systems on buildings and on noise barriers that are funded through the EEG tenders. Other segments remain unchanged: the existing maximum values ​​continue to apply to ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and innovation tenders. This differentiation takes into account the different cost and risk structure of the individual system types.

3. Why the Federal Network Agency is acting now

The trigger for the new definition was the experience from previous tenders. The surcharges awarded there were often well below the previous upper price limit. According to the Federal Network Agency, this shows that roof photovoltaic projects are now economically viable even with lower remuneration rates.

Falling costs along the entire value chain contributed significantly to this. Declining prices for modules, standardized assembly systems and optimized planning and installation processes have significantly improved profitability. The specified maximum value thus acts as a clear orientation framework that strengthens competition and at the same time prevents unrealistically high costs from being incorporated into the funding mechanism.

4. Impact on project developers and investors

For project developers, the new price cap increases the requirement to consistently review cost structures and further streamline processes. Efficient planning, standardized technology and reliable supply chains are becoming even more important. At the same time, the clearly defined maximum value offers a stable framework within which projects can be evaluated at an early stage and secured economically. This reduces uncertainty in the offer phase and facilitates strategic alignment for future tender rounds.

The new regulation also has a stabilizing effect on investors. Transparent price guidelines improve the comparability of projects and enable more realistic profit forecasts over the entire term. Financing institutions can better assess risks, which can be reflected in more favorable financing conditions or a greater willingness to support projects. Overall, the adjustment helps to further strengthen rooftop photovoltaics as a predictable and competitive asset class.

5. Assessment of the Federal Network Agency

Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, emphasizes the robustness of the market: “Despite tight upper limits, the bid values ​​are generally well below the maximum value. This shows that photovoltaic roof systems remain competitive even under economically challenging conditions.”

6. Market outlook 2026: competition, efficiency and new strategies in the umbrella segment

For 2026, market observers expect competition for photovoltaic roof systems to intensify noticeably. The lowered price cap forces providers to align their projects even more consistently with profitability. Standardized system solutions, optimized planning processes and resilient supply chains are becoming increasingly important because they ensure cost advantages and reduce risks.

At the same time, the market is likely to become more differentiated. Companies with a high level of implementation experience and scalable business models can make better use of their strengths, while smaller players are forced to position themselves clearly or enter into collaborations. For project developers, precise location and roof analysis is also becoming more important, as individual structural features determine the economic viability of a project more quickly.

In the long term, the new price cap fits into an overarching regulatory trend: the promotion of renewable energies is increasingly being structured in a market-based manner without losing sight of the expansion goals. Clear price guidelines should promote competition, stimulate innovation and at the same time limit the costs for the entire system. For the umbrella segment, this means a further step towards a mature, independently viable market that can develop dynamically even under more demanding conditions.