Austria added only 1.03 GW of new solar PV capacity in 9M 2025, well below the pace needed for its 2 GW annual target
Residential systems up to 20 kW were most affected amid unclear funding rules and changing VAT and tariff policies, according to PV Austria
The association says that the industry currently has low morale, and calls for stable laws, clear decisions, and reduced bureaucracy to revive growth
Between January and September 2025, Austria’s solar PV market expanded by 1.03 GW according to sector association Photovoltaic Austria (PV Austria). At this pace, the association believes, the country will miss meeting its annual target of 2 GW capacity as laid out in the Integrated Austrian Network Infrastructure Plan, or Österreich laut österreichischem Netzinfrastrukturplan (ÖNIP).
Quarterly installations in 2025 are way below those reported for the same period in the last 2 years, with only 367 MW added in Q1, 364 MW in Q2, and 305 MW in Q3. In comparison, 9M 2024 PV additions totaled 1.41 GW, and 9M 2023 exceeded 1.74 GW.
“The figures are truly alarming. Photovoltaic installations are at a standstill. The lowest level in three years and the industry is under immense pressure,” said PV Austria’s Managing Director, Vera Immitzer. “You can see how progress quickly falters when the underlying conditions become unstable. Companies lose orders, jobs are at risk. This situation will only worsen due to the lack of political guidelines.”
According to the figures released, the residential segment with up to 20 kW system sizes is the most impacted. This excludes balcony solar systems. PV Austria blames the situation on political uncertainties, including the premature abolition of Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption, unclear funding conditions, and the ongoing discussions about possible additional costs for feed-in tariffs (FIT).
The sentiment in Austria’s overall PV industry is subdued, according to PV Austria. Referring to the findings of a recent industry survey, it says the stakeholders seek political reliability and clear decisions, stable laws and planning security, focus on battery storage and system-friendly integration, and reduced bureaucracy.
“A solid and, in particular, well-thought-out legislative package comprising the Electricity Supply Act (ElWG) and the Electricity Supply Act (EABG) is urgently needed,” stressed Chairman of the Board of PV Austria, Herbert Paierl. “Unfortunately, politicians don’t realize what growth potential lies for the domestic economy in the increased expansion of renewables and how positively this would affect electricity prices.”
The association previously forecast 1.3 GW to 1.5 GW of new solar PV capacity additions in 2025, much lower than the 2.22 GW reported for 2024 (see Austria Installed 2.22 GW Solar PV Capacity in 2024).