Solar / Photovoltaic from an economic perspective

By the way, I just picked up from the mailbox the request from Westnetz GmbH to report our self-consumption. Reason: calculation of the Renewable Energy Act surcharge on self-consumption (of self-produced electricity).

I was aware that self-consumption is subject to VAT, but now that the Renewable Energy Act surcharge is also being calculated, I find this rather ... . The only consolation – as I understand it – is that a reduced Renewable Energy Act surcharge is being calculated. Soon, one will probably also have to pay VAT on vegetables grown in one’s own garden.

How large is your system?

How large is your system?

5.36 kWp

5.36 kWp

Then the Renewable Energy Sources Act surcharge on your self-consumption = 0. With this system size, you are exempt from it.

Then the Renewable Energy Act surcharge on your self-consumption = 0. With your system size, you are exempt from it.

I hope you are right.

However, I wonder why I am being contacted at all, since the system was registered through Westnetz GmbH and therefore the system size is known. According to the letter, this apparently applies to systems that went online after July 31, 2014 (ours was only installed at the end of the third week of August 2014 due to delays caused by the scaffolding company). We then have to report the feed-in and self-consumption from 08/01/2014 to 12/31/2015 at the beginning of next year. For this, we only have to pay a reduced Renewable Energy Act surcharge of 30% instead of 100%.

Up to 9.9 kWp, one is in my opinion exempt from the levy. You should google it, it went through the media extensively back then.

Up to 9.9 kWp one is in my opinion exempt from the surcharge.

You have to google it, it was widely covered in the media back then.

Somehow I also had this in mind. The discussion at the time actually prompted us to proceed with the photovoltaic project right away when building the house (actually it was originally planned over a period of 3 years). However, it can always happen that you miss some regulation (e.g. because the Bundestag passes it during a World Cup football euphoria, when no one is paying attention).

Well - next week I have (work) vacation. Let's see if I can find time between the tax return and building the playhouse to call Westnetz. I will keep you updated.