Solar installation – Niedersachsen
Legal basis
- EEG 2023 – feed-in tariff and funding (federal level)
- Solarspitzengesetz – requirement for smart meter and control unit 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
- § 32a NBauO (Niedersächsische Bauordnung) – solar requirement for new builds and roof renovations
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Solar requirement in Niedersachsen
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| New builds | Required since 01.01.2025 (from 50 m² roof area) |
| Roof renovations | Required since 01.01.2026 (where newly created or renewed roof area is from 50 m²) |
| Minimum capacity | ≥50 % of the (renewed) roof area |
| Legal basis | § 32a NBauO |
| Exemptions | Heritage protection, unsuitable roof areas, including north-facing orientation and shading, thatch/wood/glass roofs, unreasonable economic burden (payback period over 20 Jahre) |
The 50% rule refers to the building's entire roof area. Edge and technical areas, clearance areas, roof windows and unfavourably oriented areas (N, NNE, NNW) are already included.
Official obligations
| Step | Requirement | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notify the grid operator | all systems |
| 2 | Register in MaStR | all systems |
| 3 | Smart meter + control unit | mandatory installation from 7 kWp; voluntary at 2–7 kWp, otherwise 60 % feed-in limitation |
| 4 | Tax office | from >30 kWp |
Planning permission: not required for roof-mounted systems. Exceptions: heritage protection, ground-mounted systems.
Grid operators
| Region | Grid operator |
|---|---|
| Hannover | enercity Netz |
| Braunschweig / East Hannover | Avacon Netz |
| Osnabrück / Oldenburg | Westnetz / SWO Netz |
| Lüneburg / North Hannover | E.DIS / Avacon |
Find your grid operator: Postcode search at solar.red/netzbetreiber
Processing time: 4–8 Wochen | Statutory deadline up to 30 kWp: 4 Wochen (EEG 2024)
Funding in Niedersachsen
No direct standalone state grant for private PV systems. However, NBank funds PV as part of a combined package of measures.
NBank – Klimaschutz und Energieeffizienz
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Grant (not a loan) |
| Condition | PV alone is not eligible for funding – at least 2 coordinated climate protection measures and evidence of at least 50 % CO₂ savings are required |
| Grant amount | up to 45 % of eligible investment costs |
| Application | nbank.de |
| Programme | Type | Available |
|---|---|---|
| NBank Klimaschutz und Energieeffizienz | Grant (only as part of a package of measures) | Yes |
| KfW 270 | Loan (federal level) | Yes |
| EEG feed-in tariff | Tariff | Yes |
| Standalone state grant for PV | Grant | No |
Municipal grants (selection) – as at 07/2026
| City | Funding | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hannover / Region (proKlima) | DachVollToll: 100 €/kWp, max. 1.000 €/building (from 2 kWp). SolarGrünDach with PV: 200 €/kWp, max. 6.000 €. Façade PV: 300 €/kWp, max. 9.000 € | Current funding period since 01.01.2026, expected until 31.10.2026. A; application before construction starts |
| Braunschweig | Plug-in PV (balcony power plant): 200 € grant, +150 € bonus for Bürgergeld/basic income support/housing benefit/BAföG (max. 350 €). Vertical PV (façade/fence): 100 €/kWp | Applications since 15.04.2026 via the city's service portal |
| Osnabrück | "Osnabrück saniert" / climate protection initiative: up to 1.000 € per project | Apply before measures begin |
EEG feed-in tariff (Q2/Q3 2026)
| 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). Systems already commissioned retain their tariff for 20 Jahre.
Installation steps in Niedersachsen
- Check the roof – where the solar requirement applies (new build/roof renovation from 50 m²): check the 50% rule and exemptions
- Check and apply for municipal grants (before placing the order)
- Check the NBank programme – relevant only if PV is part of a larger package of climate protection measures
- Commission a certified specialist company
- Notify the grid operator – 4–8 Wochen lead time
- Register in MaStR, arrange smart meter installation
- Commissioning + acceptance record
Note on grid operators: The table above lists common grid operators – it is not exhaustive. The grid operator actually responsible depends solely on the postcode . Find it by postcode search: solar.red/netzbetreiber
How to submit applications
1. Feed-in application to the grid operator
- Identify the grid operator: Postcode search at solar.red/netzbetreiber
- Online portal of the grid operator (legally required since Jan. 2025)
- Complete the form: location, planned kWp capacity, feed-in type
- Wait for approval – 4 Wochen deadline (up to 30 kWp); automatically approved if there is no response after 1 month
- Tip: The installer often handles notification – ask when requesting a quote
2. MaStR registration (Marktstammdatenregister)
- Portal: marktstammdatenregister.de
- Deadline: within 1 month after commissioning
- Required: system capacity (kWp), installation date, site postcode
- Tip: Many installers handle the MaStR registration too, clarify this in the quote
3. Municipal funding (e.g. Hannover proKlima)
- Hannover / region: proklimaev.de – depending on the module 100–300 €/kWp, application before construction begins
- Braunschweig: City Service Portal – plug-in PV or vertical PV, since 15.04.2026
- Osnabrück: "Osnabrück saniert" – up to 1.000 €, application before measures begin
- Other cities: enquire directly with the municipal utilities or city authority
4. KfW 270 (federal level)
- Through your bank apply
- Portal: kfw.de/270
- Submit application before commissioning