Solar installation – Berlin
Legal basis
- EEG 2023 – feed-in tariff and funding (federal level)
- Solarspitzengesetz – smart meter and control unit required for new systems from 7 kWp (since 25.02.2025); without a control unit, the grid operator permanently limits feed-in to 60 % of installed capacity
- Berliner Solargesetz (SolarG Bln) – solar obligation for new buildings and roof renovations (since 01.01.2023)
- Masterplan SolarCity Berlin – policy framework for climate neutrality by 2045
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Solar obligation in Berlin
Since 01.01.2023 Berlin has had a statutory solar obligation.
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Buildings from 50 m² usable area – new buildings and existing buildings undergoing substantial roof conversion (renewal of the entire roof covering or at least the roof cladding) |
| Minimum capacity for new buildings | ≥30 % of gross roof area |
| Minimum capacity for roof renovation | ≥30 % of net roof area |
| Legal basis | Berliner Solargesetz (SolarG Bln) |
| Exemptions | Listed-building protection, north-facing orientation, shading, technically/economically unfeasible |
| Fines | Up to 50.000 € – amount set in individual cases by the responsible Bezirksamt according to severity and intent |
Important for 2026: For many existing buildings, statutory transitional periods expire in summer 2026. Anyone who has so far benefited from a transitional rule should act now to avoid fines.
Note on listed-building protection: Berlin has an above-average share of listed buildings (older buildings, Mietskasernen, protected ensembles). The exemption often applies here – but SolarPLUS specifically funds Denkmalschutz-PV by up to 65 % of the costs (see funding).
Official obligations
| Step | Requirement | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register with Stromnetz Berlin (feed-in agreement) | all systems |
| 2 | Register in the Marktstammdatenregister (MaStR) | all systems |
| 3 | Install smart meter + control unit | mandatory installation from 7 kWp; voluntary for 2–7 kWp, otherwise 60 % feed-in limitation |
| 4 | Submit SolarPLUS funding application (IBB) | before installation – otherwise no grant |
| 5 | Finanzamt – annual return | from >30 kWp |
Planning permission: generally not required for rooftop systems. Exceptions: listed-building protection (consultation with Denkmalschutzbehörde Berlin required), ground-mounted systems.
Business registration: not required for private individuals.
Insurance: extend residential buildings insurance (~50–150 €/year).
Berlin grid operator
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Grid operator | Stromnetz Berlin GmbH |
| Website | stromnetz.berlin |
| Grid connection costs | approx. 500–2.000 € (depending on capacity + meter cabinet adjustment) |
| Processing time | 4–8 W weeks (statutory deadline: 4 W weeks for systems up to 30 kWp) |
| Automatic approval | Yes – if there is no response after 1 month, the system is deemed approved |
| From 30 kWp | Grid compatibility assessment required |
Grid connection funding: In addition to SolarPLUS S, a meter cabinet flat rate of 750 € has been available since 01.02.2026 (from 1.160 € gross costs for meter cabinet adjustment) – apply before installation.
Taxes & VAT
- 0 % VAT on the purchase and installation of PV systems up to 30 kWp on residential buildings (since 01.01.2023)
- Above >30 kWp: annual return to the Finanzamt required
- Small business scheme: applicable to feed-in tariff
Costs
Installation costs in Berlin are slightly above the national average due to higher labour costs and a shortage of tradespeople.
| System size | Cost/kWp (Berlin) | Total costs (without storage) |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 kWp | 1.300–1.700 € | 5.900–8.500 € |
| 5–10 kWp | 1.250–1.550 € | 8.000–14.500 € |
| 10–15 kWp | 1.200–1.400 € | 14.000–21.000 € |
Storage: 700–900 €/kWh (before SolarPLUS funding)
Operating costs: 1,5–2 % of the investment amount/year (~130–400 €)
After deducting SolarPLUS the payback period can be shortened by 1–3 Jahre – applying for funding is almost always worthwhile.
EEG feed-in tariff (Q2/Q3 2026)
Uniform nationwide – applies unchanged in Berlin.
| System size | Partial feed-in | Full feed-in |
|---|---|---|
| up to 10 kWp | 7,78 ct/kWh | 12,34 ct/kWh |
| 10–40 kWp | 6,73 ct/kWh | 10,35 ct/kWh |
| 40–100 kWp | 5,50 ct/kWh | 10,35 ct/kWh |
Valid: 01.02.2026 – 31.07.2026 | From 01.08.2026, reduction of 1 % (six-monthly reduction under § 49 EEG 2023) | Funding period: 20 Jahre
Economic viability
| Without storage | With storage | |
|---|---|---|
| Payback period (without funding) | 9–12 Jahre | 12–16 Jahre |
| Payback period (with SolarPLUS) | 8–11 Jahre | 10–14 Jahre |
Recommended system size for a detached house in Berlin: 8–10 kWp
Funding in Berlin – SolarPLUS
The central Berlin funding programme for PV systems, delivered by IBB Business Team GmbH within the framework of the Masterplan SolarCity. Relaunch: 08.01.2026 with a budget of 13 million euros, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis – funds may be exhausted early in the year.
Important: Submit the application before installation – retrospective funding is excluded.
Application: ibb-business-team.de/solarplus
SolarPLUS S – PV system with storage (detached houses)
New since 01.02.2026: The former separate storage funding scheme “EnergiespeicherPLUS” (300 €/kWh) has been replaced by a purely capacity-based flat rate – 250 €/kWp (rounded down). A battery storage system is a requirement for funding, but its size no longer affects the grant amount.
| System size | Grant (flat rate) |
|---|---|
| 2–2,99 kWp | 500 € |
| 3–3,99 kWp | 750 € |
| 4–4,99 kWp | 1.000 € |
| 5–5,99 kWp | 1.250 € |
| 8–8,99 kWp | 2.000 € |
| 10–10,99 kWp | 2.500 € |
| from 19 kWp | 4.750 € |
In addition: 750 € flat rate for meter cabinet/house electrical system adjustments (from 1.160 € gross costs).
Plug-in solar / balcony power systems – no further funding
Direct SolarPLUS funding for plug-in solar devices (former Module E) was discontinued on 31.03.2025 and has been completely removed from the reformed programme since 08.01.2026 – balcony power systems are now considered economically viable even without a grant. Nationwide benefits (0 % VAT) remain in place.
Special systems (listed-building protection, façade, green roof)
| Measure | Funding rate | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|
| Denkmalschutz-PV | up to 65 % of costs | 5.000–30.000 € |
| Façade PV | up to 65 % of costs | 5.000–30.000 € |
House electrical system (larger grid connection/metering point measures)
| Target group | Funding rate | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|
| Private individuals | 30 % | 10.000 € |
| WEGs / companies | 50 % | 15.000 € |
For smaller meter cabinet adjustments under SolarPLUS S, the new 750-euro flat rate applies instead (see above) – clarify which module applies before submitting the application.
Compatibility
SolarPLUS can be combined with: EEG feed-in tariff, KfW 270 (loan), BAFA BEG EM (storage grant at federal level).
Businesses: Small: 50 %, medium: 40 %, large: 30 % funding rate.
Listed-building protection in Berlin
Berlin has one of the highest proportions of protected heritage in Germany. Special features:
- Responsible authority: Untere Denkmalschutzbehörde of the relevant Bezirksamt (12 districts)
- Coordination required: before applying to Stromnetz Berlin
- Not automatically excluded: Heritage-compatible solutions, such as reversible rooftop systems and façade PV, are often approved
- SolarPLUS heritage protection module: up to 65 % funding – explicitly designed for these cases
- Feasibility study: SolarPLUS funds assessments at 45–65 % of costs (up to 15.000 €) – useful before investing
Installation steps in Berlin
- Check the roof (orientation, structural integrity) – for listed buildings: contact the Bezirksamt in advance; for existing buildings with an expiring transitional period (summer 2026), act promptly
- Submit SolarPLUS funding application (IBB) – before commissioning the installer
- Commission a certified specialist contractor (master crafts business, BSW member)
- Register with Stromnetz Berlin – allow 4–8 W weeks' lead time
- Register in the Marktstammdatenregister (MaStR)
- Have a smart meter / control unit installed by the metering point operator
- Commissioning + acceptance report
- Tax office (from >30 kWp), adjust insurance
Grid operator note: Berlin has only one electricity distribution network operator (Stromnetz Berlin GmbH), so this information is complete. In other federal states, however, the grid operator varies by postcode. Always check using a postcode search: solar.red/netzbetreiber
How to submit the applications
1. Feed-in application to the grid operator (Stromnetz Berlin)
- Portal: stromnetz.berlin → section “Feed-in operators / Renewable Energy”
- Complete the form: location, planned capacity in kWp, feed-in type (partial or full feed-in)
- Wait for approval – statutory deadline: 4 Wochen (up to 30 kWp); if there is no response after 1 month, the system is deemed approved
- Tip: The installer often handles the registration themselves – ask when requesting a quote
2. MaStR registration (Marktstammdatenregister)
- Portal: marktstammdatenregister.de (Bundesnetzagentur)
- Deadline: within 1 month of commissioning (legal requirement)
- Required: system capacity (kWp), installation date, site postcode
- Tip: Many installers also complete the MaStR entry – clarify this in the quote
3. SolarPLUS funding application (Berlin)
Must be submitted before installation – retrospective funding is excluded.
- Portal: ibb-business-team.de/solarplus
- Register and complete the form: system size (kWp), battery storage (mandatory for SolarPLUS S), building type
- Wait for the funding approval notice – only then appoint an installer
- After installation: Submit evidence (invoice, commissioning report)
- Advice: IBB Business Team – 030 2125-4747