Zero tariff for electricity: Germany's new solution to the PV madness!

Zero tariff for electricity: Germany's new solution to the PV madness!

On December 3, 2025, the federal government approved a billion-dollar funding package that includes up to three billion euros for new purchase bonuses in the area of ​​electromobility. However, more and more voices are being raised that doubt whether such financial subsidies will really make a difference in the long term. Critics argue that the effect is usually only short-term and that sustainable solutions are absolutely needed. What is the solution?

A look at Australia shows how things can be different: households there receive free electricity on sunny days when their photovoltaic (PV) systems feed excess energy into the grid. Focus reports that providers in Australia define fixed time windows in which this free electricity is available. This could also be an inspiring idea for Germany. Simon Müller suggests 600 free hours per year for PV electricity in this country.

A model for Germany

The development of the EEG remuneration shows that 20 years ago up to 50 cents per kWh were paid, while modern systems today only produce electricity for 4 to 10 cents per kWh. During the sunny hours, the price of electricity on the exchange could even fall to zero. This raises the question of how this price can be passed on to end consumers. A possible solution: zero tariff window on sunny days. The background to this idea is that it would be economically more efficient than popular purchase bonuses.

These zero tariff windows could also promote the use of intelligent electricity meters, so-called smart meters. These devices record in real time how much electricity is consumed and generated and pass this information on to an energy management system. In Austria, 95% of all households are expected to be equipped with smart meters by 2024 Otovo reports. This is a big step towards greater efficiency.

Advantages of smart meters

A smart meter costs between 400 and 700 euros, although old meters can be replaced free of charge as the costs are financed through metering fees and network tariffs. The advantage of this technology is clear: it enables better monitoring of electricity consumption, identifies energy guzzlers and maximizes your own consumption of solar power. Data protection is particularly important because only the most necessary data is transmitted, and the electromagnetic fields generated by smart meters are also below the legal limits.

• Beliebte Modelle von Smart Metern umfassen:
• Fronius Smart Meter: Präzise Einspeiseregelung mit visueller Datenaufbereitung.
• Kostal Smart Energy Meter: Einfache Installation und Echtzeitdatenübertragung.
• SMA Sunny Home Manager 2.0: Misst den Eigenverbrauch mit Anbindung an Smart-Home-Systeme.

The introduction of the zero tariff windows could also increase the need for smart meters and raise general awareness about electricity consumption. Commuters could charge their electric cars at company parking lots during working hours, which in turn has a double benefit for companies. Ultimately, these measures could advance digitalization and electrification without having to burden taxpayers with new billion-dollar programs.

The discussion about the German electricity market remains exciting. Advancing digitalization could help us make the energy future sustainable and profitable, even in a market characterized by high LNG prices and difficult conditions for developing countries IEA reports. If we can combine creative thinking and technological innovation, we can make great progress in the field of renewable energy.