Langenbach butcher fights against network overload: Solar system switched off

Langenbach butcher fights against network overload: Solar system switched off

A butcher from Langenbach has seen himself faced with a variety of challenges about his photovoltaic system. After an investment of over 250,000 euros in the production of his own solar energy, Augustin Keller is now fighting against the repeated parking of his facility by the overland works Erding. Especially on sunny days that are optimal for solar energy production, his system is always switched off, which leads to an enormous financial burden.

"It feels like an expropriation," Keller describes his frustrating location. On days when he cannot use his own electricity, an estimated 500 euros will be lost. Instead of being able to fall back on the previously achieved savings on its electricity costs, it must then buy expensive network electricity. His strategy of putting the energy -intensive work in the butcher on the lunch hours when the sun seems to be strongest shows that he tries intensively to realize the advantages of his investment. Nevertheless, the news about its visually attractive PV system seems to be darker from day to day.

Problems due to network overload

The overland works Erding are forced to park Keller's facility on sunny days if an impending overload of the power grid is determined. According to a spokesman for the overland works, this is done in order not to endanger the stability of the network, since the increasing number of PV systems in the region is a challenge for the network operators. "If the network operator Bayernwerk fears a bottleneck, it must be traded accordingly," explains the spokesman. This has often been the case in the past few months: in May Keller's facility was switched off for 13 days, in June on ten and about five days in July.

The increasing number of solar systems means that the Bavarian power grid, which was designed for a different type of energy production, gets under pressure. In 2023, 500,000 photovoltaic systems with a total output of around 10,000 megawatts had already been connected to the Bayernwerk network, with 88,000 new plants in the past year. Bayernwerk has planned record investments in the expansion of the energy laws, but the structural progress simply takes more time than building new PV systems.

legal situation and way out for butchers

Augustin Keller is aware of the legal basis of these measures, but does not understand why his entire system has to be switched off instead of only regulating excess feedback. "A simple check mark could change the situation," he says frustrated. The interruptions of this kind not only have consequences for basements, but also affect numerous other operators of powerful solar systems.

Marian Rappl, general manager of the Bavarian Energy and Water Management Association, confirms that Keller is not only in his misery. Against the background of the classic power grid, which was once designed for easy -to -control power plants, a dilemma for operators of solar systems results in because the sun and wind cannot be regulated at will. "In the worst case, all generation systems would continue to run unlimited," explains Rappl and emphasizes the future -oriented character of the problem point of view.

The solution sees rappl both in an expansion of the storage capacities and in the continuous optimization of the network in order to meet the new requirements. At the moment, however, the capacity of the battery storage installed in Bavaria is inadequate in order to meet the requirements of the generation peaks in the long term.

Despite the challenges, butcher Keller remains optimistic. He firmly believes in the future possibilities of solar power and would like to continue to advertise to draw attention to the systemic problems and solutions. He is not ready to give up - especially not as long as the sun is shining and the possibilities of solar energy remain.

outlook on renewable energies

Despite all the adversities, the question of the efficiency of photovoltaic systems remains at the center of interest. The insufficient coordination of renewable energies with the existing electricity network is a challenge that requires creative thinking and innovative solutions. The potential of solar energy is enormous and is viewed by many as the key to the energy transition. However, without suitable strategies and adjustments, the energy future will be a constant examination of the existing limits of the power grid.

changing energy landscape in Germany

In recent years, the energy landscape in Germany has changed significantly. The transition to renewable energies is part of the national strategy to achieve the goals for climate protection and energy supply security. The Federal Government has formulated the goal of becoming climate -neutral by 2045, which means that the proportion of renewable energies must continuously increase in the total flow requirement. According to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, the proportion of renewable energies in the power supply in Germany was already around 42 percent.

The increase in photovoltaic systems should be emphasized. In 2023, over 2.5 million photovoltaic systems were installed in Germany, which together generated an output of over 70 gigawatts. This development illustrates that society is increasingly towards sustainable energy sources, but also challenges such as the network overload experienced by Keller.

The role of network operators and future solutions

The network operators are faced with the demanding task of controlling the power grid in such a way that on the one hand the security of supply is guaranteed and on the other hand the increasing proportion of renewable energies can be effectively integrated. The current situation shows that the existing power grid is often unable to efficiently handle the volatile generation of photovoltaic systems and wind turbines.

In order to deal with these challenges, extensive investments are necessary. According to a study by the German Energy Agency (dena), it is estimated that investments of a total of 30 billion euros are required by 2030. These investments include the construction of new lines, the improvement of the network infrastructure and the use of intelligent network technologies in order to be able to better control energy generation.

economic effects for companies

The economic effects of the current network overload are significant for companies such as the butcher's shop from Keller. A report by the Institute for Economic Research (IFO) documents that small and medium -sized companies (SMEs) in Germany are particularly affected by the high electricity prices in 2023. Almost 60 percent of the SMEs stated that sensitive price increases endanger their operational profitability.

In addition, a survey by TNS Infratest shows that over 70 percent of companies in Germany require an adaptation of the regulations for the feed -in of photovoltaic flow in order to reduce economic stress and make the use of renewable energies more attractive.

The discrepancy between the legal requirement and the actual possibilities for the use of self -generated electricity increases the uncertainty for entrepreneurs who rely on efficient energy solutions.

With these challenges, it becomes clear that in addition to the technical solution, political measures are also necessary to improve the framework conditions for operators of PV systems and to enable more fairer use of the self-generated electricity.