The Bundesnetzagentur has launched the first round of large-scale solar system bids for 2023, with a volume objective of 1,950 MW. The bid submission date is March 1.
Since the beginning of the year, PV ground-mounted systems with an output of at least 1 MW have been subject to surcharges. In addition, proposals for ground-mounted systems up to 100 MW are permitted.
The Bundesnetzagentur has just increased the maximum bid value. The ceiling price for the 2023 rounds for ground-mounted PV systems is now €0.0737/kWh. This is to account for increasing component, installation, and financing costs and to prevent bids from becoming unsubscribed.
Last year, the promised amount was not completely utilised in any round. The Federal Network Agency reduced the expected capacity for the November cycle from 1,200 MW to 880 MW. However, only 104 solar project bids totaling about 609 MW were accepted. The volume-weighted fee averaged €0.0580/kWh, which was only slightly less than the previous year’s high of €0.0590/kWh.
This year, bids for large-scale solar systems will reach 5,850 MW. The second and third stages will launch on July 1 and December 1, respectively.
Additionally, there are three rounds of bids this year for rooftop systems with a minimum output of 1 MW. The first round, with a volume of a little less than 217 MW, has already begun, with a deadline of February 1. In 2023, a total of 650 MW will be offered in this section, and the ceiling price will increase dramatically from €0.1125/kWh in 2022.