Photovoltaic systems – contribution to climate protection

Electrical Power generation with photovoltaic (PV) systems is considered environmentally friendly. PV systems as decentralized power generation plants relieve the public electricity networks.
By installing and operating a photovoltaic system, grid users can make a significant contribution to climate protection.

New market players – Renewable Energy Communities (REC) and Citizens‘ Communities (CC)

There are various ways to operate PV systems: For example, for the purpose of self-supply, as a joint generation plant or together with other grid users, as part of a Renewable Energy Community (REC) or as part of a Citizens‘ Community (CC).
For more information, visit www.energiegemeinschaften.at.

Permits for PV systems

PV systems require a permit under electricity law in accordance with provincial regulations, depending on the installation method and output. All Austrian provinces have set up corresponding service centers to advise project applicants. Links and information are available at https://www.klimaaktiv.at/service/beratung/energieberatungen.html.
Electricity permits are only not required if the installation is part of a commercial facility.
A building permit will also have to be obtained in many cases. Under certain circumstances, considerations of regional planning and the protection of the appearance of a locality may prevent the installation of a PV system or require special consideration.
The system operator must then apply to the responsible network operator in his supply area for network access or technically adapt an existing network access to the requirements of the system. A separate metering point is required to measure the amount of electricity fed into the grid and the amount of electricity withdrawn from the grid. This requires the conclusion of a corresponding network access agreement with the network operator.

Subsidies for PV systems under the Renewable Expansion Act (EAG)

Operating subsidies under the Renewable Expansion Act (EAG) are only available for systems with a bottleneck capacity of more than 10 kWp. Operating subsidies are awarded for PV plants within the framework of two annual tenders. The plant operator must submit an offer (“bid”). The bid must specify a certain quantity (“bid quantity”) at a certain price (“bid price”). The contract is awarded to the cheapest bids and bid quantities until the tender volume is exhausted.
For more information on the area of support for electricity generation from renewable sources under the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG), please visit https://eag-abwicklungsstelle.at/.

Our legal expertise in the field of renewable energies and PV systems

Dr. Georg Rihs has intensively dealt with the legal basis and procedures in connection with PV plants for a lecture on 23.11.2022 in the context of the conference “Climate.Economy.Law” and for a conference contribution. The contribution is to be published as part of a conference volume.
In his work as a lawyer with a focus on public law, Dr. Georg Rihs regularly deals with cases relating to electricity law, plant law and public procurement law.

Contact us for further information or specific questions in connection with the construction and operation of a PV system, whether as self-supplier, as co-operator of a joint generation facility, a Renewable Energy Community or a Citizen’s Community!

presentation on solar power generation (23 Nov 2022) Focus on roof-top solar power plants

A panel of experts was invited to provide legal presentations on the topic „How may companies contribute to climate protection“ in an event organized by Attorney Mag. Silberbauer. The event was also supported by the daily newspaper „Der Standard“. „Der Standard“ has recently promoted the event. Please find further information under “Der Standard”.

Dr. Georg Rihs was asked to report on the latest developments in the field of energy law. Due to the climate crisis, the rising costs of electricity and the political motivation to subsidize renewable energy, the subject is highly topical.

In the past, we have regularely published and treated on topics related to energy law. Dr. Georg Rihs has published articles with focus on renewable energies and decentralized energy production and distribution (Link).

The presentation comprised an introduction into the European framework and the applicable Austrian regulations for solar power plants, like the electricity laws, the regulations on land use and construction and related civil law issues.

For us, the presentation provided an excellent occasion to present our expertise in the field of the regulations on renewable energy to a broader public. We also consider this presentation as a contribution to climate protection.

The presentation shall be published in a conference transcript and in a legal journal.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have legal questions regarding the installation of a solar power plant!

New Publication on the Subject of Energy Law Grid Operators’ Line Rights

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Georg Rihs has published an article in the professional journal Recht der Umwelt (RdU) on the subject of pipeline rights and easements of (electricity) network operators (link).

The article deals with the legal basis for the use of third-party land by electricity grid operators. In the past, network operators have often based their claims on the fact that they are “obvious easements” (lines, pylons) on the land of others. However, such easements are only granted to a specific person who exercises them. A legal succession or a change on the part of the electricity grid operator may lead to the expiry of this easement.

Case law also supports the assumption that private-law line rights/obligations do not automatically pass to a legal successor.

Landowners whose land is encumbered by lines can question the legality of the network operators’ line rights on their land.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about third-party pipeline rights on your land!