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German Cabinet approves EEG reform ending fixed solar feed‑in tariffs
The German federal cabinet has approved a revision of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) together with a grid‑connection package. The legislation will end the fixed feed‑in tariff for new residential photovoltaic (PV) installations on 1 January 2027, requiring owners to sell electricity on the market. A 36‑month transition period will provide a reduced tariff that is lowered by approximately one cent per six‑month interval beginning 1 August 2026 (from 7.78 ct/kWh to 7.70 ct/kWh). The reforms are intended to cut federal subsidy spending on renewables by about €15‑17 billion annually and to ease the fiscal burden of the guaranteed 20‑year feed‑in scheme.
The package also aims to accelerate grid expansion, improve system efficiency and keep Germany’s target of 80 % of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The changes require approval by the European Commission before they can take effect. The reforms have drawn criticism from solar industry groups, citizen‑energy organisations and climate scientists, who warn that the reduction of subsidies could slow the expansion of solar power and harm community energy projects.
Entities
Bundestag · CDU/CSU coalition · European Commission · German Cabinet · German Federal Government · Katherina Reiche · Lars Klingbeil · Net‑package (NAP) · Renewable Energy Act (EEG)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] From 1 August 2026 the statutory tariff for new PV installations is reduced by about 1 cent every six months, e.g., from 7.78 ct/kWh to 7.70 ct/kWh. www.radiobrocken.de · blackout-news.de · www.abendblatt.de · www.waz.de · newsflash24.de · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Existing solar installations will retain their feed‑in tariffs for the remainder of a 20‑year period. www.t-online.de · www.faz.net · www.n-tv.de · blackout-news.de · www.abendblatt.de · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The reforms reduce compensation for large renewable power plants and allow additional gas‑fired plants for electricity security. taz.de · www.faz.net · www.n-tv.de · tp-presseagentur.de · www.deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Bundestag will discuss the revised EEG and grid‑connection package in the autumn, with enactment expected by the end of 2026 and entry into force on 1 January 2027. www.t-online.de · www.faz.net · tp-presseagentur.de · www.deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] The CDU/CSU coalition parties are responsible for the energy reforms. taz.de · www.faz.net · tp-presseagentur.de · www.presseportal.de · www.deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The EEG reforms are expected to slow the expansion of solar energy in Germany. taz.de · www.faz.net · www.presseportal.de
- [● 16 SOURCES] The German cabinet approved a revision of the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) and a grid‑connection package. www.t-online.de · taz.de · www.faz.net · www.n-tv.de · www.presseportal.de · +9 more
- [DISPUTED] The fixed feed‑in tariff for new photovoltaic installations will be abolished on 1 January 2027. www.t-online.de · taz.de · www.faz.net · wochentlich.de · www.n-tv.de · +4 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Solar industry groups warn the reforms will slow the expansion of solar power in Germany. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.energiezukunft.eu · www.presseportal.de · www.t-online.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] The European Commission must approve the EEG revision before it becomes effective. www.t-online.de · www.faz.net · www.n-tv.de · www.deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de
- [● 10 SOURCES] A 36‑month transition period will provide a reduced feed‑in tariff for new PV installations before full market sales begin. www.t-online.de · www.faz.net · wochentlich.de · www.n-tv.de · tp-presseagentur.de · +3 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The reforms are projected to reduce federal budget spending on renewable subsidies by roughly €15‑17 billion per year. wochentlich.de · www.deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de · www.n-tv.de · tp-presseagentur.de