Tenant Electricity
Deliver electricity from your own roof directly to your tenants – without detour through the public grid. Reduce energy costs, increase property value and actively contribute to the energy transition.
What is Tenant Electricity?
The term tenant electricity describes electrical energy generated in decentralized power generation systems – typically photovoltaic systems on the roof of a residential or commercial building – and delivered directly to tenants in the same building. The key advantage: the electricity is consumed without being routed through the public electricity grid.
In the tenant electricity model, essential cost components such as grid usage charges, concession levies and other grid-related surcharges are eliminated for locally generated and consumed electricity. This makes tenant electricity economically attractive for both landlords and tenants while simultaneously promoting the expansion of renewable energies in urban areas.
The legal basis is the Tenant Electricity Act of 2017, which was significantly improved by the EEG amendment 2023. The amendment reduced bureaucratic hurdles, defused the trade tax issue for housing companies and adjusted the tenant electricity surcharge. Additionally, the model of communal building supply has enabled further simplifications since 2024.
Who Benefits from Tenant Electricity?
Landlords and Real Estate Companies
Additional revenue from electricity sales, property value increase and a more attractive rental offer.
Tenants in Residential and Commercial Buildings
Cheaper electricity than from the basic supplier, 100% green electricity from the own roof and no switching effort.
Environment and Society
Decentralized energy generation reduces transport losses and CO2 emissions and accelerates the energy transition.
Benefits for Landlords and Owners
Tenant electricity offers landlords much more than just an ecological measure. It is an economically viable model that enhances properties and generates long-term plannable revenue.
Property Value Increase
A PV system with tenant electricity model increases the market value of your property and makes it more attractive to potential buyers and tenants. Energy-optimized buildings demonstrably achieve higher rents.
Additional Revenue Source
By selling locally generated electricity to your tenants, you generate a plannable, long-term revenue source. The tenant electricity surcharge under EEG secures additional remuneration.
More Attractive Rental Offer
Affordable green electricity directly from the roof is a strong argument when seeking tenants. Tenant electricity reduces ancillary costs and increases tenant satisfaction.
Contribution to the Energy Transition
With tenant electricity, you actively contribute to climate protection and meet increasingly relevant ESG criteria and sustainability requirements.
Leverage Funding Opportunities
In addition to the tenant electricity surcharge, you can take advantage of KfW funding programs and tax benefits for the installation of PV systems.
Benefits for Tenants
Tenants also benefit directly from a tenant electricity model – without their own investment and without switching effort.
Lower Electricity Costs
The tenant electricity price must legally be at least 10% below the local basic supply tariff. In practice, savings of 15 to 20% are common as grid charges and many surcharges are eliminated.
Green Electricity from the Roof
Tenants receive 100% green electricity directly from their own building. Unused solar electricity is fed into the grid, residual electricity needs are supplemented by grid power – seamlessly and without supply gaps.
No Switching Effort
Switching to the tenant electricity model is straightforward for tenants. There is no minimum contract term beyond 24 months and a right to cancel at any time with three months' notice. Supply security is guaranteed at all times.
How Tenant Electricity Works
From planning to ongoing billing – we guide you through the entire process.
Metering Concept
We analyze your building situation and create an individual metering concept. We handle coordination with the grid operator.
Installation
We install the required metering systems – Smart Meter, transformer and summation meters – and integrate them into the control system.
Operation
During ongoing operation, we monitor all metering points in real time. You have access to all data at any time.
Billing
The measurement data forms the basis for tenant electricity billing, residual power supply and surcharge – fully automated.
Our Full-Service for Your Tenant Electricity Project
As an experienced metering point operator, we handle the technical implementation of your tenant electricity model – from planning to ongoing operation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tenant Electricity
Here you will find answers to the most important questions about tenant electricity, the surcharge and the legal framework.
Who can offer tenant electricity?+
What funding opportunities are available for tenant electricity?+
What is the tenant electricity surcharge?+
Related Solutions
Tenant electricity is part of a holistic energy concept. Discover other services that complement your project.
Housing Industry
Submetering, tenant electricity and automated utility billing for your properties – all from one source.
Learn moreMetering Concepts
Individual metering concepts for self-consumption, feed-in, storage and e-mobility – tailored to your requirements.
Learn moreMetering Point Operation
Independent metering point operation nationwide, all voltage levels, all grids – with real-time access to your energy data.
Learn moreEconomic Potential
In the tenant electricity model, these cost components are eliminated for locally generated electricity:
Grid Usage Charges
No routing through the public grid
Concession Levy
Direct delivery to tenants
CHP Surcharge
Eliminated for local consumption
§ 19 StromNEV Surcharge
Local consumption exempt
AbLaV Surcharge
Eliminated for direct supply
Offshore Surcharge
Local consumption exempt
EEG Surcharge & Self-consumption
Self-consumption of the plant operator under EEG possibly exempt or reduced. For direct consumption by tenants, current EEG regulations must be observed.
Electricity Tax Exemption
The plant operator typically benefits from electricity tax exemption pursuant to § 9 StromStG.
Tenant Electricity Surcharge
EEG subsidy for PV tenant electricity: Applicable value minus 8.5 ct/kWh. Current amount see Federal Network Agency.
Legal Framework
In tenant electricity models, regulations from various laws and ordinances must be observed. Below you will find the most important regulations (not exhaustive).
EnWG and General Framework Conditions+
Tenant electricity providers are energy supply companies under EnWG. They are therefore subject to the regulations of the EnWG defined for energy supply companies.
In tenant electricity models, supply generally takes place within a so-called customer installation. With the EnWG amendment, the customer installation is regulated in § 3 No. 64 EnWG. As long as a supplier only supplies end consumers within a customer installation, various simplifications apply.
The legal requirements for the contractual design of electricity supply to household customers – for example regarding liability, termination or price adjustments as well as invoicing – can be found in §§ 40 to 42 EnWG. In addition, the requirements of general civil law and the requirements for general terms and conditions (AGB) must be observed.
EEG 2023+
With EEG 2023, the framework conditions for tenant electricity were significantly improved. EEG funding is available in tenant electricity models – with the exception of certain legacy systems – for the share of electricity that is not consumed on-site but fed into the grid (surplus feed-in).
According to EEG 2023, plant operators must observe the following regulations:
- Registration in the market master data register of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA)
- Provision of technical equipment according to EEG 2023
- Reporting obligations towards the grid operator
Tenant Electricity Surcharge: With the EEG amendment 2023, the tenant electricity surcharge was made more attractive, particularly through the elimination of the trade tax issue for housing companies.
StromStG+
Electricity tax law also contains various requirements for tenant electricity projects. The tenant electricity provider will be classified as a supplier within the meaning of § 2 No. 1 StromStG.
Suppliers generally require an electricity tax law permit pursuant to § 4 para. 1 StromStG, which must be applied for in writing at the locally responsible main customs office.
MsbG+
The MsbG has provided since 2017, "insofar as technically possible and economically justifiable", a gradually effective installation obligation for intelligent metering systems, which will significantly impact tenant electricity models.
REMIT Regulation+
Furthermore, obligations may arise for tenant electricity projects from Regulation (EU) No. 1227/2011 on the integrity and transparency of the wholesale energy market (REMIT). The REMIT Regulation provides in particular for extensive publication, registration and reporting obligations for various market participants.
Implement Tenant Electricity for Your Property
Let us realize your tenant electricity project together – from planning the metering concept to ongoing operation. Schedule a non-binding consultation now.