How will the rules for connecting new Czech solar power plants to the grid change from October?

With effect from 1.10.2024, an amendment to the Decree on Conditions for Connection to the Electricity System changes the rules for connecting new photovoltaic power plants (PV plants) to the grid. What positive and negative changes does the amendment, recently published in the Collection of Laws, bring?

You can discuss the latest developments in connecting PV plants with Stanislav Hes, an expert at ČEZ Distribuce, at the Smart Energy Forum conference in Prague.

Good news for small-scale generators

One positive aspect of the new decree is that it makes it easier to connect small PV plants to the grid. Plants with a capacity of up to 10.8 kW can now be connected by notification.

The decree stipulates that if the distributor does not reject the connection of such a plant within 30 days of the notification being submitted, the applicant may connect and start operating the plant, provided that the technical and safety requirements are met.

The decree also newly specifies what the notification must contain, where it must be submitted, and that the distributor is required to prepare an amendment to the connection agreement based on the notification received.

In practice, this means that, provided the stated conditions are met, a new generating plant can be connected at the applicant’s point of consumption and supply electricity to the distribution system once the time limit has elapsed; there is no need to wait for a new agreement to be signed.

Non-guaranteed connection

Since early June, distributors have offered the option of so-called non-guaranteed connection for new PV plants. This means that a distribution company may curtail generation by up to 5% of total annual output without compensation.

The decree now sets out the procedures and deadlines for distribution companies to send a proposal for such an agreement and for the connection applicant to accept it.

Controversial changes

Alongside its positive aspects, the new decree also introduces changes that are less favourable to connection applicants.
From October, the applicant’s share of the costs associated with connection will increase.

For capacity reservation at the MV level, where the applicant arranges at their own expense for power to be delivered to the connection point in the distribution system (Type B), the applicant’s share will rise from the current 180 000 Kč/MW to 220 000 Kč/MW from October.

Another less positive change concerns how the connection method (for example, the voltage level) and the connection point are determined. The new legislation, set out in Section 9(1) of the Decree, stipulates that the distributor—not the applicant—decides on the connection method, regardless of the applicant’s preference.

You can discuss the latest developments in connecting PV plants with Stanislav Hes, an expert at ČEZ Distribuce, at the Smart Energy Forum conference in Prague.