No EEG compensation with negative electricity prices - Current regulations, background information, and economic impacts for PV systems
Jan 15, 2026
Negative electricity prices regularly occur in the German electricity market – especially during sunny midday hours. For operators of photovoltaic systems, it is crucial: Negative stock market prices can lead to a complete loss of the EEG remuneration.
This article explains:
how the EEG market premium model fundamentally works,
what regulations regarding negative electricity prices have been in effect since 2016,
what has fundamentally changed since February 25, 2025,
what impact this has on new and existing PV systems.
Basic Principle of the EEG Market Premium Model
In the market premium model, the fed-in electricity is marketed directly on the stock exchange. Additionally, the system operator receives a market premium, resulting in the so-called feed-in value.
In simplified terms:
EEG remuneration = feed-in value - market price
Feed-in Value: legally determined remuneration rate (e.g., 6–8 ct/kWh)
Market Price: Day-ahead price on the electricity exchange
Historically, it was decisive: Even with negative stock market prices, the feed-in value was paid at least.
Development of Regulations on Negative Electricity Prices
The legislator has gradually tightened the remuneration for negative prices. The aim was to reduce misincentives in the case of overproduction.
Overview of All Relevant Regulations for PV Systems
Commissioning / System Size | Regulation for Negative Prices | Concrete Significance | Validity Period | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2016–2020(≥ 500 kWp) | 6-Hour Rule | Only if the stock market price is negative for 6 hours in a row, the market premium is completely eliminated. Until then, full EEG remuneration. | EEG 2017 | § 51 EEG 2017 |
2021–2022(≥ 500 kWp) | 4-Hour Rule | Already from 4 consecutive negative hours: 0 ct/kWh remuneration for this period. | EEG 2021 | § 51 EEG 2021 |
2023–02.24.2025(≥ 400 kWp) | Gradual Tightening | Depending on the year, 3–4 hours of negative prices were sufficient for the complete loss of remuneration. | EEG 2023 (old version) | § 51 EEG 2023 |
from 02.25.2025(> 2 kWp) | Immediate Zero Remuneration | Each quarter hour with a negative stock market price leads to 0 ct/kWh remuneration – without a minimum duration. | currently | § 51 EEG 2023 (new version) |
With the implementation of the EEG amendment on February 25, 2025, the following applies to new PV systems:
As soon as the stock market electricity price is negative, the EEG remuneration is entirely eliminated.
This abolished the previous logic with a minimum duration (4- or 6-hour rule).
For new installations: No market premium anymore with negative electricity prices, thus 0 ct/kWh remuneration in negative hours. This regulation is quarter-hourly precise and affects nearly all newly installed PV systems.
Does this also apply to existing systems?
No.
For existing systems, the regulations that were applicable at the time of their commissioning still apply. The new immediate zero remuneration applies exclusively to new installations.
In practice, this results in two parallel remuneration logics:
Existing systems: Remuneration despite negative prices (up to the respective threshold)
New systems: immediate loss of remuneration at negative prices
This distinction is essential for consulting, project planning, and software simulations.
Economic Impact in Practice
Negative electricity prices typically occur today 400 to 800 hours per year. These hours occur disproportionately often during times of high PV production.
The consequence:
disproportionate loss of revenue
especially for south-oriented new installations
depending on the market year and location, 10–20% lower annual revenues are possible
Conclusion
The remuneration for photovoltaic systems in the EEG market premium model has fundamentally changed in recent years. While negative electricity prices only led to a loss of remuneration in exceptional cases in the past, since February 25, 2025, a clear rule applies to new PV systems: No EEG remuneration will be paid for negative stock market electricity prices anymore.
This change has noticeable economic impacts, as negative prices increasingly occur in profitable hours. For new installations, this can lead to significant revenue losses, especially with classic south-facing orientations without flexibility options. Although existing systems are not affected by the new regulation, two different remuneration logics now exist in practice that must be clearly separated.
For planning, consulting, and profitability calculations, this means: Models that do not explicitly consider negative electricity prices no longer accurately reflect the current legal situation. Especially for new installations, zero remuneration periods, curtailments, and storage options must be realistically simulated.
The development clearly shows that flexibility – for example, through battery storage or load-side control – is gaining importance. A precise representation of EEG regulations is thus not only a legal necessity but also a central factor for robust investment decisions in the photovoltaic market.
