Germany’s Solar Overhaul: Subsidies End, Training Surge Begins
Published on 07/22/2026 at 06:03 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Germany’s renewable energy sector is bracing for its biggest regulatory shift in years, as the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs circulates draft proposals for the 2027 Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). The changes are sweeping enough that training providers are already rolling out new courses to prepare the workforce.
The cornerstone of the EEG reform is the planned phase-out of the traditional feed-in tariff for new rooftop solar installations starting in 2027. Instead, a transitional payment will be introduced, tapering down over 36 months. The first systems affected will be those under 50 kilowatts, followed by installations under 25 kW in 2028, and even small balcony units under 7 kW by 2029.
Once the transition period ends, direct marketing of electricity will become mandatory for all new systems. To ease the adjustment, operators of installations under 25 kW will receive a bonus of 1.5 euro cents per kilowatt-hour for four years. The ministry is also weighing a capacity cap of 50 percent for rooftop systems. A cabinet decision is expected on July 29.
Training for a New Workforce
With a chronic shortage of skilled electricians threatening the expansion, the DEKRA Akademie has launched a specialized qualification called “Electrical Specialist for Defined Activities – Photovoltaics.” The program targets roofers, plumbing and heating technicians, and other tradespeople who already hold a basic electrical qualification.
The curriculum covers legal fundamentals, PV system design, and hands-on practice with MC4 connectors and cable routing. The first sessions are scheduled for late 2027 in Stuttgart. In Baden-Württemberg, the training can be subsidized through the European Social Fund.
Millions Poured into Workshop Upgrades
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts for East Westphalia-Lippe (OWL) is investing 7.6 million euros to modernize workshops at the Campus Handwerk in Bielefeld. Around 2.6 million euros of that sum is earmarked for electrical engineering. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is covering roughly 90 percent of the costs.
The goal is to align training infrastructure with the new priorities—renewable energy takes center stage. This upgrade runs parallel to a larger site expansion project with a total budget of 80 million euros.
New Rules for Tiny Systems and Digital Tools
Since March 1, a new equipment class under the standard VDE-AR-N 4105:2026-03 has taken effect for micro-generation units. It allows non-professionals to register small systems with grid operators using a simplified process, and the permitted power output exceeds previous limits for balcony solar devices.
To help implement the rules for controllable energy systems under Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG), the EEBus Initiative and the Central Association of German Electrical and Information Technology Trades (ZVEH) have developed a digital tool. The “Handwerkertool” checks whether heat pumps, storage units, and PV systems from 4.2 kW can communicate properly. A free beta version is available, with the final release expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has also made available a web-based planning guide for building-integrated photovoltaics. It outlines 15 standardized construction principles to help architects incorporate PV components early in the design phase. The German Society for Solar Energy is offering complementary training courses to accompany the guide.
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