Economic and regulatory feasibility of solar PV in the Austrian multi-apartment housing sector

Abstract

Austria established energy policy targets to decarbonize the housing sector with an increasing usage of low carbon electricity. Solar photovoltaic (PV) is one of the technologies being used to reach this target. Currently, the deployment of PV in the multi-apartment building sector is supported by subsidies. Taking into account the available potential and the policy goals for large-scale PV deployment in the residential sector in Austria, this paper investigates the economic feasibility of PV generation in multi-apartment buildings in the absence of subsidies. It also looks at the necessary regulatory conditions for implementation of economically feasible business models for PV generation in multi-apartment buildings. The empirical data for current research came from case studies of three actual projects, which were implemented by stakeholders with practical experience and knowledge in residential PV.