Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has invited bids for 258 MW of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems as part of the country’s goal to procure 900 MW of new solar capacity through three rounds in 2024 under the Renewable Energy Act (EEG 2023).

Germany expects to tender 1,100 MW annually from 2025-2029. Last year, 650 MW was procured through tenders.

The deadline to submit bids is June 3, 2024.

Bidders must download and electronically fill out the required bid submission forms from the agency’s website, including details on their proposed solar project and any authorized representatives.

The tender uses a “pay as bid” pricing method, with a maximum allowable bid price set at €0.105 (~$0.118) per kWh. Last December, Germany reduced the price ceiling for rooftop solar auctions in 2024 to €0.105 (~$0.118)/kWh from €0.1125 (~$0.119)/kWh in 2023.

Upcoming tender rounds this year will be announced later in 2024. The three tender dates in 2024, February 1, June 1, and October 1, will each be allocated one-third of the 900 MW volume, or around 300 MW per round.

However, the June tender volume of 258 MW differs slightly from an even one-third split as the volumes are adjusted based on unawarded capacity from the previous year that rolls over and deductions for any large solar systems over 1 MW that came online without participating in the tenders.

Additionally, the agency can reduce tender volumes if there is an “impending signing” or under-subscription of only 90% or less of offered volumes in the prior two rounds.

Last year, Germany’s auction to install 191 MW of rooftop solar power projects was oversubscribed by 195%, according to the data released by the federal network agency. The auction received 184 bids with a volume of 373 MW. A total of 88 bids with a volume of 191 MW were accepted.

The country installed 3.7 GW of solar power capacity in the first quarter of 2024, a 19% year-over-year growth from 3.2 GW last year.