Significant obstacles prevent tenant power – study

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) has published an extensive study on “tenant power”. The study aims to provide a definition of the term, as well as legal background, and an overview of possible forms of organisation, the potentials and the economic efficiency of tenant power support models. One example of tenant power is electricity generated by solar PV panels on an apartment building and used by tenants. Reduced surcharges could make such solar arrays more attractive to landlords and tenants. “At the moment it is often not profitable for building owners, landlords and other actors (contractors, energy services providers, etc.) to tap the potential because of significant administrative, organisational and legal obstacles,” the study says. It shows that 3.8 million apartments in Germany could be supplied with tenant power (18 percent of rented apartments). The study is seen as the basis for the future design of tenant power support models.

Find the press release in German here and the full study in German here.

For background see the CLEW dossier The People's Energiewende.