No building plot can be found in the southern part of Schleswig-Holstein

KFW40 Plus obligation? Solar obligation? Oh my God, I didn’t even know such a thing exists! Is that even legal?

A few larger cities already have this or have at least decided on it: Würzburg, Landau in der Pfalz, Hamburg from 01.01.2023. In many others, the topic is currently still in the pipeline. In Schleswig-Holstein, the solar obligation is coming for carports, in Baden-Württemberg it starts first with non-residential buildings. In Berlin, retrofitting photovoltaic systems during roof renovation will soon be mandatory. The Federal Environment Agency has long demanded a nationwide solar obligation for all new buildings. At the moment, this is still a patchwork, but you can already see where the journey is going. In many places, this is the new prestige project and everyone wants to be a pioneer. And you, dear home builder, will pay for it! Whether it pays off for you or not.

So what? Fine by me. I have been repeating this here for years. Photovoltaics are the only thing on the house that generates profit; everything else only costs.

Also here (among others Erlangen) there are building areas where KFW40+ is required. It’s not the “plus” that’s the annoying part of the requirement, but the 40 standard, because here massive house construction with a basement becomes extremely expensive due to the requirements for the building envelope.

I have nothing against solar. But if photovoltaics really are as attractive as you say, then in my understanding, no compulsion should be necessary to get them onto the roofs. And I also wonder why many owners of existing properties have not retrofitted long ago if photovoltaics are really such a cash cow. Strange, isn’t it?

I have nothing against solar. But if photovoltaics are really as attractive as you say, then in my understanding there should be no need for compulsion to get them onto the roofs. And moreover, I wonder why many owners of existing properties haven't already retrofitted if photovoltaics are such a pure cash cow. Strange, isn't it?

I can only imagine that it is due to the apprehension about the whole "tax issue." In 2018, I had an 8kWp photovoltaic system installed on our roof and would have liked to install more. But it was not possible because there was too little space free from shade. I paid about €10,000 for the system. The feed-in tariff was 12.2 cents. In 2019, we received about €620 in remuneration and saved about €300 in electricity costs. That totals about €920. In 2020, it was about €1,000. If I base it on €900, I end up with roughly 11 years until I break even. Then I get the remuneration guaranteed for another 9 years and can also consume my own electricity. During that time, the inverter may well fail and the modules lose some performance. Even if it broke even over the entire 20 years, it would be worth it to me given that I produce "clean" electricity and partly consume it directly on site.

So, now to the actual topic:

We built in 2017 in the Pinneberg district. In a municipality with about 4,500 inhabitants. There are kindergartens, elementary school, sports club, medical center, supermarkets, bakeries, buses from the HVV network, etc. In the neighboring town, there is a secondary school 4 km away. We searched for about half a year for a plot or existing property and found one on eBay Classifieds. It was a 650m² plot (backland development) for about €200/m².

Maybe you should really take a look at the neighboring municipalities of your favored cities. Don’t reject them categorically right away. We grew up in Hamburg and could never have imagined moving to a "village." Now we are very happy here and we are glad that our children are growing up here. My big son also knows that a cow isn't purple.... :D

In photovoltaics, there is a second aspect besides costs - supply security. My parents' house still has 3 energy sources - electricity, gas, wood fireplace. My upcoming house has only one energy source - electricity. If something goes wrong with it, I will sit cold in the dark. Therefore, I want the photovoltaics (with storage) as emergency power.

At a 650 EUR leasing rate for a car, I would say your eyes are bigger than your stomach.

May I ask what kind it is?

As a tip, I can only say: bake smaller cakes!

Why does it have to be 800 sqm? Wouldn't 500 be enough?

Home office not possible? If, for example, you only have to go to the office twice a week, a 90-minute commute might not be that bad? With the train (covid will hopefully be over someday), you can already do some work or just read or even sleep. And you also wouldn’t need a 650 EUR LR car anymore... (scnr).

I have nothing against solar. But if photovoltaics really are as attractive as you say, then, in my understanding, there should be no need for compulsion to get them onto the roofs. And I furthermore wonder why many owners of existing properties have not yet retrofitted if photovoltaics are truly a pure cash cow. Strange, isn’t it?

But it is also something else whether I receive a plus within 20 years or whether I save 20k investment capital right away. That may be the difference between 100% or 90% financing. Also: inertia. A not to be underestimated characteristic of most people.

Photovoltaics are not worth it. That's how it is. Anyone who does not sugarcoat it must admit it. Better to take the money and invest in a wind farm or in a solar energy field of several hectares.