A connection freeze does not mean that solar panels lose their value, but it does mean that the business model changes. For years, the starting point was that you could feed solar power back to the grid. If that is no longer possible, you have to rely mainly on high own consumption. Companies with a solid electricity profile can use their generated electricity directly themselves and thus make a profitable case, often even without subsidies.
If that is not enough, storage and smart charging are logical next steps. Batteries have become significantly cheaper in recent years. With them, you can store solar power generated during the day for later use, or buy power at night when prices are lower. You then use that energy when you need it. Electric transport can also play a role in this: charge trucks or cars when there is space on the grid or when prices are low, and use that energy later in your own operations. Moreover, there are now car brands whose batteries can also feed back into the local grid.
A connection freeze affects not only energy transition but also business development. If you cannot get additional power, expansion becomes difficult. At the same time, there are opportunities in organising energy smarter. After all, the energy market works with quarter-hourly prices. At times of high supply, for instance on sunny days, prices can fall sharply or even become negative. With storage, charging plazas and solar carports, for instance, you can anticipate this.
It requires customisation, as every company has a different consumption profile. Entrepreneurs need to understand what is the right mix of generation, feed-in, storage and procurement for them. The technology is available. The next step is for companies to be more flexible with their energy management and actively look at how to make maximum use of locally generated power. Anything you generate yourself and use directly reduces the pressure on the grid. This is going to be a huge development in the coming years.
