According to a recent study by E-Control based on data from major distribution network operators, Austria installed 497MW of photovoltaic systems in the first quarter of 2024, according to a recent report by the Austrian Federal Photovoltaic Association (PV Austria). This progress shows that Austria is steadily advancing its updated grid infrastructure plan and is committed to achieving its goal of adding 2GW of photovoltaic systems each year.

The report also shows that the number of photovoltaic systems with an installed capacity of less than 1MW has dropped significantly compared with the same period last year, but the number of photovoltaic systems with an installed capacity of less than 250kW is higher than the previous quarter. In contrast, the number of approved applications for trial operation of photovoltaic systems is the same as last year. According to the report, photovoltaic system commissioning is usually carried out one to two quarters after the application is approved. The average processing time for grid connection varies greatly depending on the type of photovoltaic system. For photovoltaic systems below 20kW, it takes an average of 6.9 days from submitting a grid connection application to the grid operator to approval. For photovoltaic systems from 20kW to 250kW, the time span is 19.8 days; for photovoltaic systems from 250kW to 1000kW, the time span is 32.5 days. However, the time range for different grid operators to respond varies greatly. E-Control claims in the report that the fastest response time takes one day and the slowest response time takes 124 days.

According to the latest data, household users are becoming the main force driving the application of photovoltaic systems due to the exemption of small photovoltaic systems from VAT. In contrast, industry and commerce are not active in installing photovoltaic systems due to the current economic recession. It is worth noting that Austria has been in recession for four consecutive quarters, and high wage costs, rising loan interest rates and the second highest inflation rate in the European Union have brought higher economic pressure to Austrian companies.

Vera Immitzer, general manager of the Austrian Federal Photovoltaic Association (PV Austria), said: "We are currently seeing the demand for photovoltaic systems tend to normalize. The economic recession and uncertainty are hindering the development of the commercial photovoltaic market, and the government must actively respond to this challenge. We are also actively promoting investment in photovoltaic systems, which can save more costs because there are no grid charges, taxes and tariffs." In addition, he also pointed out that the current subsidy policy is very attractive and the cost of battery energy storage systems is falling rapidly, which also provides more motivation for investors.

The Austrian Federal Photovoltaic Association (PV Austria) called on the government to take six specific actions. First, the depreciation period of photovoltaic systems should be shortened, while attractive financing options should be provided to encourage more investment. Secondly, the passage of the Electricity Act (E-Wirtschaftsgesetz) will usher in a new era in the electricity market and create new opportunities for grid-friendly and profitable activities. In addition, the expansion of grid capacity should be accelerated to ensure the transmission of photovoltaic electricity. At the same time, the drafting of the bill to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy must be combined with exemptions for the construction of photovoltaic systems and the unification and simplification of procedures for the open space system in Austrian states to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy. Deploy more energy storage systems to ensure the balance between power generation and consumption. In addition, the Austrian government should also consider implementing a more flexible electricity price policy to provide incentives for the energy transition in the transportation and heating sectors.

Immitzer emphasized: "Despite some favorable conditions, such as the decline in the costs of photovoltaic modules and battery energy storage systems, the Austrian federal government still needs to take the necessary measures to ensure a stable growth in demand and successfully promote the energy transition."