Solar system – Thuringia
Legal basis
- EEG 2023 – feed-in tariff and funding (federal level)
- Solarspitzengesetz – requirement for smart meters and control units for new systems from 7 kWp (since 25.02.2025); without a control unit, the grid operator permanently reduces feed-in to 60 % of installed capacity
- No state-specific solar requirement
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Solar requirement in Thuringia
No solar requirement at state level (as of 07/2026). Individual municipalities may contractually stipulate a solar requirement when selling land or granting heritable building rights. A state-wide solar requirement has not currently been adopted.
Official obligations
| Step | Requirement | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register with the grid operator | all systems |
| 2 | Register in MaStR | all systems |
| 3 | Smart meter + control box | mandatory installation from 7 kWp; voluntary for 2–7 kWp, otherwise 60 % feed-in curtailment |
| 4 | Tax office | from >30 kWp |
Planning permission: not required for roof-mounted systems. Exceptions: listed-building protection, ground-mounted systems.
Grid operators
| Region | Grid operator |
|---|---|
| Most of Thuringia | TEN Thüringer Energienetze |
| Erfurt | Stadtwerke Erfurt (SWE Netz) |
| Jena | Stadtwerke Jena Netze |
| Gera | Stadtwerke Gera |
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 Thuringia
No state programme for private PV systems, as the "Solar Invest" programme was discontinued at the end of 2022 and there is still no successor programme (as of 07/2026).
| Programme | Type | Available |
|---|---|---|
| KfW 270 | Loan (federal level) | Yes |
| EEG feed-in tariff | Payment | Yes |
| 0 % VAT up to 30 kWp | Tax | Yes |
| State programme | Grant | No (discontinued at the end of 2022) |
Tip: Ask directly about municipal programmes in Erfurt, Jena and other cities, as local grants may be available.
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, a reduction of 1 % applies (six-monthly reduction under § 49 EEG 2023, for example by 10 kWp then around 7,71 ct/kWh for partial feed-in and 12,23 ct/kWh for full feed-in). Systems already commissioned retain their tariff for 20 Jahre.
Installation steps in Thuringia
- Check the roof (orientation, structural stability)
- Check municipal funding (Erfurt, Jena)
- Check KfW 270 loan
- Commission a certified specialist company
- Register with the grid operator, allowing 4–8 Wochen in advance
- Register in MaStR, have a smart meter installed
- Commissioning + acceptance report
Note on grid operators: The table above lists common grid operators, but is not exhaustive. The grid operator actually responsible depends solely on the postcode . Find it using the postcode search: solar.red/netzbetreiber
How to submit the 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 no response after 1 month
- Tip: The installer often handles the registration, ask when requesting a quote
2. MaStR registration (Marktstammdatenregister)
- Portal: marktstammdatenregister.de
- Deadline: within 1 month of commissioning
- Required: system capacity (kWp), installation date, site postcode
- Tip: Many installers also handle the MaStR, clarify this in the quote
3. KfW 270 (federal level, the only funding in Thuringia)
- Apply through your bank (not directly through KfW)
- Portal: kfw.de/270
- Submit the application before placing the order
- Ask Stadtwerke directly about municipal grants (Erfurt, Jena)