Solar power in Austria

As of the end of 2014, solar power in Austria amounted to 766 megawatt (MW) of cumulative photovoltaic (PV) capacity, of which more than three quarters were installed within the last four years. Solar PV generated 766 gigawatt-hours, or about 1.4% of the country's final electricity consumption. As with most other European countries, 99.5 percent of all solar power systems are connected to the electrical grid. The nation's installed PV capacity by inhabitant (watt-peak per capita) stood at 91 watts, still below the European Union's 2014-average of 172 watts.[1]

Solar potential

Photovoltaic deployment in Austria had been rather modest for many years, while in other European countries, such as Germany, Italy and Spain, installations were booming with new records year after year. However, in an overall declining European solar market, annual PV deployment jumped beyond 100 megawatt in 2012 and remained above that level at 263 MW and 140 MW for 2013 and 2014, respectively. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association forecasts, that Austria, together with other mid-sized countries, will contribute significantly to European PV deployment in the coming years.[2]

In 2009, the site of Zwentendorf power station became Austria's largest solar power station with an investment of 1.2 million Euro, with the addition of 1,000 photovoltaic panels.[3] Zwentendorf was intended to be Austria's first nuclear power plant, but after a vote in 1978 prohibiting nuclear power in Austria, was never completed.[4] In September, 2011, Austria's largest solar power station, 2 MW, was under construction in the Niedere Tauern mountain range.[5]

Austria has also a large capacity of solar heating at its disposal. With more than 3,500 MW_thermal the country ranks second in the EU, only behind much larger Germany.[6]

Photovoltaic installations

From the IEA-PVPS report TRENDS 2014 in Photovoltaic Applications, p.23[7] —

Austria’s support for PV relies on a mix of capped FiT and investment grants. Due to a cap on the tariffs, the development of
PV in Austria remained quite low, with a market below 100 MW until 2011. With 176 MW in 2012 and 263 MW in 2013, the market progressed faster. Off-grid development amounted to 0,5 MW installed in 2013. Systems below 5 kW are incentivized through a financial incentive that can be increased for BIPV installations. Above 5 kW, the Green Electricity Act provides a FiT that was reduced in 2013. The FiT is guaranteed during 13 years and financed by a contribution of electricity consumers. Some financial grants can be added for specific buildings. In addition to federal incentives, most provinces are providing additional incentives through investment subsidies. Self-consumption is allowed for all systems. Self-consumption fees have to be paid if the self consumption is higher than 25 000 kWh/y. Rural electrification in remote areas not connected to the grid is incentivized through an investment subsidy up to 35% of the cost.

Statistics

Added Capacity since 1992 in (MW_p)

50

100

150

200

250

300

1994

1998

2002

2006

2010

2014

Cumulative Capacity since 1992 in (MW_p)

100

200

300

400

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700

800