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Before you can generate and feed electricity into the grid with a PV system, you must register it. Otherwise, in the worst case, you could even face penalties. But don't worry. In this article, we explain exactly where and when you have to register your PV system in 2024.
First things first
Where do I register photovoltaics?
You must register your PV system with the Federal Network Agency, the network operator and the tax office.
tax office
You have one month after commissioning to register your photovoltaic system with the tax office.
Federal Network Agency
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.You must register your PV system in the market data register with the Federal Network Agency within one month of commissioning.
PV possible without registration?
Operating a PV system without registration is only possible for stand-alone systems that are not connected to the public power grid.
You must register your PV system with the Federal Network Agency after commissioning. The operator and system are also registered here in the market master data register. If the PV system is connected to the public grid, you must also register it with the grid operator and tax office.
The table below provides an overview of all registration offices and their corresponding deadlines:
| authority | Registration | When | deadline | by whom |
| Federal Network Agency | Registration in the Market Master Data Register (MaStr) | after commissioning of the system | 1 month after commissioning | operator or solar installer |
| network operator | grid compatibility test | before installing the system | At least 8 weeks before installation begins | operator or solar installer |
| network operator | Submit confirmation from the Federal Network Agency and commissioning protocol | after commissioning of the system | 1 month after commissioning | operator or solar installer |
| tax office | Registration | after commissioning of the system | 1 month after commissioning | operator |
| trade office | Registration (only for taxable systems with over 30 kWp) | after commissioning of the system | 1 month after commissioning | operator |
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In 2024, you only have to register a PV system that is connected to the general power grid. The registration requirement does not apply if the photovoltaic system is not connected to the public power grid. This is the case with so-called island systems.
You can register your PV system yourself. However, we recommend that you seek help from a specialist company to register with the grid operator. Specialist companies are familiar with the registration process and guarantee that the relevant deadlines will be met.
Registering the PV system with the Federal Network Agency essentially involves entering the master data of the solar system into the Market Master Data Register (MaStR). Registration is carried out either by the operator himself or by an authorized person. Every system connected to the public grid is subject to registration under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).
After commissioning the PV system, you have one month to register it with the Federal Network Agency. Failure to register on time may result in a reduction in the feed-in tariff. In the worst case, you may even face a five-figure fine in accordance with Section 95 of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG).
The PV system is registered with the Federal Network Agency online in the web portal. Before you can register the photovoltaic system, you must register as a system operator in the Market Master Data Register (MaStR). Only then is it possible to register the system. The register records general and technical data as well as information on the type of power generation and grid connection.
Before you install a PV system, you must submit an application for a grid compatibility test to the local grid operator. The operator has eight weeks to carry out the grid compatibility test and check the electricity meter. The photovoltaic system can only be installed once approval has been granted. Therefore, submit this application at least eight weeks before installation begins. There are rarely any problems with registration for PV systems under 10 kWp.
The PV system must be registered with the grid operator within one month of commissioning. For this purpose, the confirmation from the Federal Network Agency and the commissioning protocol must be submitted.
You can register a photovoltaic system with the grid operator without an electrician. However, it is much easier if you commission your solar installer to do it. He will ensure that the registration process is completed on time.
Approval from the grid operator is required for grid stability and security. The grid compatibility test ensures that the power grid can cope with the additional load caused by the feed-in of solar power.
In addition, approval is crucial for the payment of the feed-in tariff. The grid operator can only determine the exact amount of electricity fed into the grid if an appropriate feed-in meter is installed.
To register your photovoltaic system with your local grid operator, please contact the operator directly. Depending on the grid operator, this registration takes place by phone, email or on the web portal.
You must register your solar system with the tax office within the first month after commissioning. This is required by law because operating a PV feed-in system makes you a tax-deductible entrepreneur. Feeding electricity into the public grid and the remuneration paid for it counts as a sale to third parties for tax purposes.
The simplification regulation came into force at the beginning of 2023. Since then, no income tax has been levied on solar power fed into the grid for systems under 30 kWp. This also applies retroactively from January 1, 2022 for existing systems. You still have to register the system with the tax office, but your profits from the feed-in tariff are not taxed.
To register your PV system with the tax office, you will receive a tax registration questionnaire. The questionnaire contains two important points.
After the tax office has processed the questionnaire, the new business tax number is transmitted, which the network operator needs for the advance payments.
If you connect your system to the public power grid and make a profit through the feed-in tariff, you must register the photovoltaic system with the tax office. So-called stand-alone systems that are not connected to the grid are excluded from registration. These do not generate any profits through the generation of solar power.
You must register a business for the PV system if it has an output of more than 30 kWp or if it is installed on a commercial building. The 30 kWp only applies to single-family homes. For multi-family homes, a business must be registered if the nominal output is 15 kWp or more.
You are liable to pay trade tax if your profit from the feed-in tariff exceeds €24,500 annually. However, it is unlikely that a private solar system in your own home will reach this profit.
In most cities and municipalities, it is possible to register a business for a photovoltaic system online. To do this, you must fill out a business registration form. You will receive a registration confirmation within three days - usually from the tax office to which the data was passed on.
Registering a PV system is free of charge. Costs only arise if you commission a specialist company or tax consultant to register you. Indirect costs arise when registering a PV system if the installation of a bidirectional meter is necessary. Depending on the network operator, you have to pay this once or monthly.
For the expansion of a PV system you need approval from the grid operator. Therefore, you must report any extension to them. You should also update the technical data of the PV system in the market master data register and inform the tax office about the extension.
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