At our most recent, spontaneous meeting of the Solar Heroes, there were exciting insights from the first on-site appointment with the tradesmen and a discussion about criticism of the funding process and grid operator.

An important milestone for our Solar Hero Dennis: the first appointment with the installation company took place recently. The visit proved to be extremely informative and provided an initial preview of the planned solar installation. Dennis will shortly be receiving a binding offer and a simulation that will provide important information about performance and potential.

Although the planned system will not be huge, it will be supplemented by a small storage tank. On the flat roof, an east-west orientation of the modules is recommended. Then it was checked exactly where the technology could be installed, where the inverter could be located, how the cabling should run from the roof and much more. All questions, including those regarding the possible charging of the electric car, were answered in detail, Dennis explained to us at the Solar Heroes meeting.

The appointment lasted around 75 minutes and was not only for information and research, but also enabled an assessment of the possible funding and funding forecast. Even non-experts were given the opportunity to ask their own questions and concerns at the initial meeting.

Criticism of the funding process and grid operator

We then had to talk to our independent solar consultant Robert about two annoying topics: the ongoing criticism of the long approval and payment processes for the city's solar subsidy and the processing of grid connection applications and acceptances by Stuttgart-Netze. Exemplary cases were documented in the "Stuttgarter Zeitung" newspaper, for example.

According to this, the city of Stuttgart sometimes has longer waiting times when it comes to checking and approving funding applications and paying out the funding. Robert confirms that these processing times unfortunately occur from time to time. However, the important thing from his point of view is that submitting an application to the city is easy and you receive confirmation of receipt without having to wait long. And with this, the installation can be commissioned immediately.

"New solar system - helplessly on hold" was the headline in the Stuttgarter Zeitung newspaper at the end of February this year, reporting on several cases in which Stuttgart residents have to wait a very long time for their system to be registered with Stuttgart Netze and for a necessary meter change. The grid operator referred to the large number of applications. They had seen the ramp-up in solar installations - but had nevertheless overestimated. Background: According to the grid operator, the number of inquiries from citizens who want to commission a solar system in Stuttgart has quadrupled since 2021.

Robert emphasizes that people should not be discouraged. With perseverance, progress can be made - the city of Stuttgart and Stuttgart Netze have also clearly recognized the problems and are working hard to improve the situation.

Good news: Since January, you can register your solar system online at meine.stuttgart-netze.de.

You can read more about our "Solar Heroes" campaign here:

Part 1 - The kickoff

Part 2 - New comrades-in-arms

Part 3 - Exploring the solar atlas and storage options

Part 4 - Preparing for an installer visit and storage system

Part 5 - Alternative solar modules and the solar scouts

Part 6 - Transparent routes to photovoltaics in Stuttgart