“Never so cheap” – Energy Agency keeps an eye on prices for PV systems

They are legally obliged to do so. Since January 1, the 20 percent sales tax has been abolished for small PV systems up to 35 kilowatt peak. Private customers no longer need to submit an application, because the financing is automatically deducted from their invoice. So far, the change is “off to a good start,” Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) said on Tuesday. “By observing the market, we are now doing our part to ensure that the price reductions reach the people.” But so far there is no reason to doubt that.

Continuous collection of market prices
To monitor prices, quotes should be requested from installers and telephone surveys should be conducted with system installers. These would then be compared to a reference value to identify unjustified cost savings. The results must be published every six months. The Federal Competition Authority (BWB) can also initiate investigations if it is suspected that tax reductions are not being passed on to customers.

PV companies: “Have resources and people”
A photovoltaic system is definitely worth it, says Kurt Leeb from the Federal Association of Photovoltaics Austria. “Every kilowatt hour that you can generate yourself halves your normal electricity costs. We have the resources, the people and the materials in stock, the time to build a PV system has never been better,” the industry representative is convinced.

Small systems would work most efficiently if you used the electricity yourself or in an energy community, Gewessler added. Interest in private solar power plants was greater in 2023 than ever before. The number of financing applications would have regularly pushed the old system to its limits. In total, more than two gigawatts of new power was installed last year.