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Renewable Electricity in German Multi-Family Buildings: Unlocking the Photovoltaic Potential for Small-Scale Landlord-to-Tenant Power Supply

Author

Listed:
  • Mauricio Celi Cortés

    (Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON ERC, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction for Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, JARA-Energy, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Jonas van Ouwerkerk

    (Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON ERC, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction for Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, JARA-Energy, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Jingyu Gong

    (Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON ERC, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction for Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, JARA-Energy, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Jan Figgener

    (Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON ERC, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction for Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, JARA-Energy, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Christian Bußar

    (Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON ERC, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction for Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, JARA-Energy, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Dirk Uwe Sauer

    (Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Systems, Institute for Power Electronics and Electrical Drives (ISEA), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Institute for Power Generation and Storage Systems (PGS), E.ON ERC, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Center for Ageing, Reliability and Lifetime Prediction for Electrochemical and Power Electronic Systems (CARL), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
    Jülich Aachen Research Alliance, JARA-Energy, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

The implementation of photovoltaic and home storage systems in multi-family houses (MFHs) in Germany lags significantly behind their development in single-family houses. The Landlord-to-Tenant (L2T) power supply model is meant to reduce this gap, yet few projects have been implemented to date. In this model, the landlord must fulfill the tenants’ power demand through a combination of photovoltaic generation and storage and electricity from the grid, for which the landlord pays an auxiliary electricity price that greatly influences the financial viability of a project. Our contribution focuses on the impact of electricity price variations and recent policy changes on the financial viability of small-scale L2T concepts. We considered component investment costs, building sizes, photovoltaic yields, and future developments. Recent policy changes have improved the financial viability of L2T projects, increasing the maximal auxiliary electricity price for which an investment is viable by 13 ct/kWh for a four-party MFH. Minimal auxiliary electricity prices justifying the installation of home storage systems (HSSs) decreased by 9 ct/kWh from 2020 to 2023. Autarky rates are substantially different across the considered scenarios, with the autarky rate being defined as the percentage of consumption of self-generated energy relative to the total energy consumption. For a 22-party MFH the autarky rate decreases by 17% compared to a 4-party MFH. HSSs have the potential to increase autarky rates while maintaining the financial viability of L2T projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauricio Celi Cortés & Jonas van Ouwerkerk & Jingyu Gong & Jan Figgener & Christian Bußar & Dirk Uwe Sauer, 2025. "Renewable Electricity in German Multi-Family Buildings: Unlocking the Photovoltaic Potential for Small-Scale Landlord-to-Tenant Power Supply," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-32, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:5:p:1213-:d:1603413
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