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What are the requirements for photovoltaic systems?
European inverters
for resilient PV projects
The Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) is changing the regulatory framework for photovoltaics in Europe. In addition to price and technical performance, other criteria are gaining in importance in certain tenders and procurement procedures. These include, in particular, the resilience of European supply chains.
This does not only apply to solar modules and solar cells. PV inverters are also among the key components of photovoltaic systems that may be relevant under the NZIA. For project developers, installers, planners and purchasers, this means the question of where an inverter is manufactured – and what specific requirements the particular PV project places on origin and resilience – is becoming increasingly important.
KOSTAL develops and manufactures inverters in Germany and across Europe. European inverters for a resilient energy supply.
Are you planning a PV project with specific requirements regarding origin and resilience? Please
get in touch with us to discuss your project’s requirements.
Head of Sales for Germany
, Austria and Switzerland Hans-Bernd Wiesener
Mobile: +49 172 8556959
Email: h.wiesener@kostal.com
Head of Sales, Europe
, Lars Brinkmeyer
Mobile: +49 163 9160186
Email: l.brinkmeyer@kostal.com
Does the NZIA also apply to inverters?
Yes. The Net-Zero Industry Act does not focus exclusively on solar modules. The strategically important photovoltaic value chain comprises various components. These include, amongst others:
- Polysilicon
- Ingots and wafers
- Solar cells
- Solar glass
- PV modules
- PV inverters
- PV trackers and specific mounting structures
This means that inverters can play a significant role in assessing the resilience of a PV project. The specific requirements placed on the inverter depend on the relevant tender, procurement or funding process.
What does the NZIA mean for inverters?
A key objective of the NZIA is to reduce Europe’s strategic dependencies in relation to net-zero technologies. To this end, additional factors are becoming increasingly important alongside traditional price and performance criteria.
In the case of an NZIA-relevant PV project, the following questions, amongst others, may therefore be important:
- Where is the inverter manufactured?
- Where do key components come from?
- How resilient is the supply chain?
- What certificates of origin does the tender require?
- What other non-price criteria must be met?
This means that selecting an inverter is not merely a technical and economic decision. It can also form part of a photovoltaic project’s resilience strategy.
Are there any inverters that comply with NZIA standards?
The term ‘NZIA-compliant inverter’ might spring to mind. However, from a legal and technical perspective, a more precise distinction must be made. The NZIA is not a traditional product certificate for inverters. There is therefore no single, general NZIA seal that automatically classifies an inverter as ‘NZIA-compliant’ or ‘eligible for funding’ for all projects. Rather, the requirements of the specific procedure are decisive.
These may include, for example:
- Origin requirements
- Resilience criteria
- Sustainability requirements
- Supply chain requirements
- Documentation requirements
- Other non-price criteria
An inverter must therefore always be considered in the context of the specific PV project and its requirements.
Why are European inverters becoming more important?
Europe has a large photovoltaic market, but is heavily reliant on imports for various parts of the PV value chain. The NZIA is intended to help reduce these dependencies and strengthen the industrial base for net-zero technologies in Europe. Inverters made in Europe can play an important role in this.
European production supports:
- industrial value creation in Europe
- technological expertise
- more resilient supply chains
- security of supply
- long-term availability
- Reduced strategic dependencies
For tenders in which resilience and origin are taken into account, the production location may therefore take on additional significance.
Are you planning a PV project that falls within the scope of the NZIA?
Origin, resilience and European value creation are becoming increasingly important in photovoltaic projects. KOSTAL offers inverters manufactured in Germany and across Europe for a range of PV applications. When responding to tenders or working on subsidised projects, check at an early stage which NZIA and resilience criteria apply to your project. Talk to KOSTAL about the right inverter solution for your PV project.
Head of Sales for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH
) Hans-Bernd Wiesener
Mobile: +49 172 8556959
Email: h.wiesener@kostal.com
Head of Sales for Europe
Lars Brinkmeyer
Mobile: +49 163 9160186
Email: l.brinkmeyer@kostal.com
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The NZIA is not a traditional PV funding scheme – but it can influence the requirements for tenders and funding mechanisms. We explain what lies behind ‘NZIA funding for photovoltaics’ and what project developers should bear in mind.