Solar park repowering
More power from the same area: rethinking PV plants once they reach 10+ years.
What is repowering — and when does it pay off?
Repowering means the partial or full modernisation of an existing photovoltaic plant. The first Austrian installations from the early 2010s are now reaching the end of their EAG subsidy term — while today's modules deliver 2–3× more power per square metre.
Repowering can make sense if at least one of these criteria applies:
- Plant is 10+ years old with polycrystalline 200–250 Wp modules
- EAG tariff is expiring — direct marketing no longer covers current module output
- Inverters are due for replacement anyway (typical lifespan ~12 years)
- Defects or hail damage make repair more expensive than renewal
- Area potential is currently underused
Repowering variants
Full repowering
Complete dismantling, new modules (today 550–650 Wp), new inverters, possibly new mounting structure. Output typically rises by 50–100 % — on the same footprint.
Partial repowering
Replacement of the weakest module rows or of the inverters only. Cost-efficient for plants with high residual value.
Extension instead of replacement
Additional module areas, battery storage or tracker system — leaving the existing plant intact.
Repowering + storage
Combine module upgrade with battery storage integration — maximising self-consumption and direct-marketing revenue.
What eco-NG delivers
- As-built analysis — yield data, module data sheets, drone thermography of all modules
- Status quo vs. repowering scenarios — NPV over 25 years, IRR, sensitivity analysis
- Subsidy and legal framework — EAG repowering envelope, planning permission, legacy approvals
- Decommissioning + recycling — proper disposal of old modules (PV CYCLE Austria)
- Construction of the new plant — including grid-connection adjustment
- Direct marketing & PPA options
Typical numbers
Example: legacy 500 kWp rooftop plant built 2013 (poly modules).
- Current output: actually ~ 440 kWp (degradation + defects)
- After full repowering on the same area: ~ 850 kWp
- Investment (net, after residual value + subsidy): ~ € 350,000
- Additional yield: ~ 380,000 kWh/year → ~ € 55,000/year (direct marketing + self-consumption)
- Payback ~ 6 years, then 19+ years of pure return
Your next step
Send us location, year of construction and recent yield data of your plant. You will receive an initial repowering analysis including investment and return estimate.