Hamburg, March 09, 2015
For almost four years, the international online marketplace ProjectForum has been successfully bringing together suppliers and investors of solar power plants. Never before has there been such a sharp decline in offers of German project rights and new plants as in recent months. The current framework conditions are causing a further blood-letting among the few remaining project developers and installers in Germany. This is triggered in particular by the structuring of the tariff degression, which is increasingly perceived as a «stranglehold», and the abolition of the green electricity privilege («Gruenstromprivileg»).
Unfavourable conditions for new investments in large PV rooftop systems
Within 15 years, photovoltaic has developed from the most expensive to one of the cheapest forms of power generation due to the political support it has received so far. However, since 2009, the respective German governments have carelessly destroyed the laborious and expensively paid preparatory work through ill-considered and contradictory course-setting in the Renewable Energy Sources Act («EEG»). While production and installation capacities are being expanded worldwide, the former German world champion is degenerating into a niche supplier. This development particularly affects medium-sized and large roof systems, which in earlier years were the driving force behind the expansion of photovoltaics.
Successful new investments are still possible within a limited framework
Despite the current unfavourable legal situation, there are also positive exceptions. However, these depend on the combination of perfect conditions (high solar radiation, secure power purchase agreements, favourable financing conditions). For example, a 320 kWp project in Baden Württemberg (Germany) was successfully placed via ProjectForum. «ProjectForum has supported me in this complex project situation with advice and action», says Dr. Florian Dausend, private investor from Frankfurt/Main. «This included both the professional support during the project purchase and the further consulting before the contract was awarded for the construction of the PV power plant».
ProjectForum as expert at the PV Operator Conference of Solarpraxis AG
Due to the negative legal framework for new PV installations, the German market is increasingly shifting towards a market for existing installations. ProjectForum recognised this trend at an early stage and has built up the necessary know-how. The company will be reporting on the steps necessary for the transaction of an operating solar asset and the associated stumbling blocks at the PV Operator Conference organised by Solarpraxis AG in Kirchdorf/Haag on March 27, 2015. Sellers and prospective buyers will be given an insight into the experience and potential uses of an online marketplace.
