Bundesnetzagentur warns solar panel owners of scam fines

Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has warned that many households with solar panels have been receiving fraudulent letters threatening fines.

“EEG-Sanktionen“ letters are fake, says Bundesnetzagentur

The Bundesnetzagentur has warned that scammers are sending letters to households with solar panels, claiming that recipients are facing “EEG-Sanktionen” (“Renewable Energy Law Sanctions”).

The letters demand that recipients transfer 41,60 euros to “the Bundesnetzagentur” within 14 days or face a fine of 208,00 euros and “further legal steps”. The scammers also demand that recipients send an annual return to an email address not affiliated with the Bundesnetzagentur, “[email protected]”.

The police urge recipients to report suspected fraudulent letters or emails. If you receive a letter or email you suspect is fraudulent, you should not reply or send any money or personal information, such as your IBAN.

Solar panel boom slows in Germany

After the SPD-FDP-Greens government passed its Solar Package I policy in 2023, a solar panel boom began in Germany. The policy cleared several bureaucratic hurdles, making it simpler and more affordable to install balcony solar panels.

A record-breaking number of balcony solar panels were installed in Germany during every quarter of 2024. In the first quarter, more than 50.000 new units were installed, in the second quarter 152.000 new units were installed, and by the end of 2024, 435.000 new units had been installed, compared to just 270.000 units installed in the whole of 2023.

Installation figures began to drop in 2025. Between January and October 2025, 28 percent fewer solar panels were installed on the roofs and balconies of German homes than during the same period of the previous year. 

The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) attributes the drop to uncertainty about whether the CDU/CSU-SPD government and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) will cut subsidies for households that generate a certain number of kilowatt-hours.

According to a draft law to reform the Renewable Energy Law (EEG) seen by taz, “Subsidies for systems with an installed capacity of up to 25 kilowatts will be discontinued”. The proposed reforms have not yet been implemented.