PV public subsidy 2027: Money will then be available for the storage unit

On 8 October 2026, the final funding call for photovoltaics under the previous model began. From 2027, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMWET) no longer wants to subsidise the PV modules themselves, but rather battery storage units operated with intelligent control systems. This is important for you if you are planning a PV system to go with your heat pump or want to expand an existing system: in future, the commissioning date and the equipment will determine whether you receive money.

Why the system is being changed

The previous system with individual funding calls barely worked anymore. According to the ministry, during the second call in 2026, the funds were allocated within 33 seconds. In the end, almost 28,000 applications faced around 3,000 subsidised projects. Anyone who did not submit within the first few seconds walked away empty-handed, no matter how good the project was.

In future, there will be no more time windows. According to the BMWET, submissions will be accepted on an ongoing basis and only after completion, similar to the Handwerkerbonus (craftsman bonus).

What is to be subsidised from 2027

Storage instead of modules: A storage system bonus will replace the classic public subsidy for new PV systems. It applies to storage units in new systems and to retrofitting existing systems.
Intelligent control as a condition: Subsidies will only be granted if an energy management system controls the storage unit in such a way that it relieves the electricity grid, i.e. charges, discharges or feeds in power when it benefits the system.
European components: Anyone combining a new storage unit with a new PV system will need an inverter manufactured in Europe. An additional bonus is to be provided for retrofitting.
Cut-off date 1 November 2026: Projects with intelligent storage that are invoiced or commissioned from this day onwards should, according to current planning, be able to submit in the new system in 2027. This also applies to projects that did not receive a public subsidy this year.

What has not yet been decided

How high the storage bonus will be remains open. According to the ministry, the technical requirements are also still being negotiated. In addition, there is a political hurdle: the Erneuerbaren-Ausbau-Gesetz (Renewable Energy Expansion Act) must be amended for the changeover, which requires a two-thirds majority in the Nationalrat (National Council). The exact conditions will then follow in the annual regulation on investment grants.

What this means for you with a heat pump

A heat pump runs mainly during the heating season, when the PV system generates little power. A storage unit helps to shift midday electricity to the evening, for example for hot water preparation. An energy management system that controls both the storage unit and the heat pump together used to be an optional extra. From 2027, it is expected to become a condition for the public subsidy.

In concrete terms, this means:

If you are planning PV with storage, it is worth looking at the cut-off date. If the system is completed from 1 November onwards and has a suitable control system, it should qualify for the new system. This is not a guarantee as long as the law has not been passed.
When asking for a quote, check whether the energy management system and inverter are expected to meet the new conditions, and get this in writing.
The public subsidy for replacing your heating system is separate from this. You can see what is available in your federal state at /foerderungen.

We are keeping track of when the ministry publishes the details and will update this article then.