Germany: 620 MW Under 1st Tech-Specific Auction Of 2021

• Bundesnetzagentur has awarded 620 MW solar PV capacity to 103 bids for the 1^st technology specific auction of 2021
• Winning bids for solar PV segment were determined between €0.0469 to €0.0518 per kWh
• For the innovation round, it received all bids for solar and storage system combinations, finally awarding 258 MW to 18 winning bids

Germany's 1^st technology specific solar auction for the year 2021 saw oversubscription once again as against the tendered amount of 617 MW, the Federal Network Agency or Bundesnetzagentur received interest for 1.504 GW in the form of 288 bids. It finally awarded 620 MW for 103 bids in the round that had March 1, 2021 as the last date for bid submission.

Winning bids ranged between €0.0469 to €0.0518 ($0.056 to $0.062) per kWh, while the average winning tariff was determined as €0.0503 ($0.061) per kWh. In the previous technology specific auction for solar concluded in December 2020, the agency had received a slightly higher average winning bid level of €0.051 per kWh for 264 MW capacity (see 264 MW Awarded In 7^th Tech Specific German PV Auction). The ceiling tariff for this round for solar was €0.059 per kWh.

The winning projects  for solar PV technology are listed on the agency's website.

Innovation tender also oversubscribed 

The agency also announced results for the innovation tender for which it was accepting bids only for hybrid system combinations, unlike last year when individual systems were also permitted. Th innovation tender was 2 times oversubscribed. For the 250 MW capacity offered to be built, it received 43 bids with 509 MW – with all the bids coming in for solar PV systems with energy storage technology.

It selected 18 winning bids with a total bid amount of 258 MW, with fixed market premiums agreed upon as ranging between €0.0333 to €0.0488 ($0.040 to $0.059) per kWh, and a volume-weighted average of €0.0429 ($0.052) per kWh. In the previous round, the average was €0.045 ($0.054) per kWh (see Germany Awards 677 MW In Innovation Tender For RE). The agency had capped this round at €0.075 per kWh.

Winning projects in the innovation auction are listed on the agency's website.

In comparison, the 1.5 GW onshore wind auction was undersubscribed with 718 MW capacity being offered in 91 bids. The agency selected 89 bids for a total volume of 691 MW, with winning bids ranging between €0.0515 to €0.060 ($0.062 to €0.072) per kWh, with average winning bid of €0.060 per kWh.

The next technology specific bidding round for solar energy will be held on June 1, 2021; the innovation tender will follow on August 1, 2021.