Austria added 1,036 MW of new solar capacity between January and September 2025, up from 1,419 MW in the same period in 2024, as political uncertainty, delayed legislation and weakening residential demand put pressure on the solar sector.
According to figures from PV Austria, Austria installed 1,036 MW of PV capacity in the first nine months of 2025. The country’s cumulative installed solar capacity currently stands at approximately 9.3 GW.
The result marks the lowest growth in nine months in three years and leaves the annual target of 2,000 MW set in the Austrian Network Infrastructure Plan (ÖNIP) out of reach. PV Austria described the shortage as “huge” and warned of declining demand, lost orders and increasing risks for the sector.
By comparison, Austria added 1,419 MW in the January-September period of 2024 and 1,746 MW in the same period in 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, installations amounted to 646 MW, more than double the total in the same quarter of 2024.
The decline is most pronounced for residential roof systems up to 20 kilowatts. PV Austria cites political uncertainty, including the abrupt end of the VAT exemption, unclear financing conditions and ongoing debates over feed-in tariffs, as key factors reducing demand.
“The figures are truly alarming,” says Vera Immitzer, Managing Director of PV Austria. “Photovoltaic installations are at their lowest level in three years and the industry is under enormous pressure. It is clear how quickly progress can stagnate if the framework conditions become unstable.” She added that companies are losing orders and jobs are at risk.
PV Austria also highlighted a sharp decline in sector-wide demand. “Without reliable political guidance, this situation will worsen,” Immitzer said. The sector continues to await the adoption of the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) and the Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EABG), both of which are considered essential for advancing Austria’s energy transition.
A recent survey by PV Austria found that the industry has strong support for stable, legally secure policy frameworks. Respondents also prioritized energy storage initiatives and reducing bureaucratic hurdles to support solar deployment.
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