German October auctions: rooftop solar at 9.67 cents/kWh; biomass awards only 319 of 617 MW

The Federal Network Agency, Bundesnetzagentur, on 3 November published the results of two auctions with a bid deadline of 1 October 2026: one for "second segment" solar installations on buildings and noise barriers, and one for biomass. The awards are deemed officially announced on 10 November.

Rooftop solar. Of the 296 MW tendered, 143 bids totalling 288 MW were awarded. Winning prices ranged from 8.50 to 10.00 cents/kWh, the ceiling, with a volume-weighted average of 9.67 cents/kWh. According to Solarserver, 177 bids totalling 347 MW were submitted, up from 238 MW in the June round, and the previous average had been 9.72 cents/kWh. Most awards went to North Rhine-Westphalia (66 MW), Hesse (30 MW) and Brandenburg (28 MW).

Biomass. Of the 617 MW, 244 bids totalling 318.7 MW were awarded, at prices between 13.95 and 19.80 cents/kWh and an average of 18.75 cents/kWh. According to top agrar, only 328 bids totalling 442 MW were submitted, so the endogenous volume control mechanism kicked in, limiting awards to 80% of the volume of admitted bids. Only 24% of the volume went to new plants, the rest to existing plants receiving follow-on support. The Bundesnetzagentur notes that one award may be revoked, depending on a complaint pending before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.

The reactions. Sandra Rostek of the Hauptstadtbüro Bioenergie told top agrar that the current law offers too few incentives to invest and that many operators are waiting for the EEG amendment, whose package is expected to take effect in early 2027. She called the cut in volume "bitter". Silke Weyberg of the renewable energy association for Lower Saxony and Bremen warned that pushing bioenergy out of the market removes valuable capacity and weakens security of supply.

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