This is how many homeowners are planning PV and heat pumps

04.02.2025

Source: E & M powernews

A representative survey by the Allensbach Institute: Two thirds of homeowners plan to invest in PV by 2029, as well as increasingly in heat pumps and electric cars.

A high proportion of German homeowners intend to purchase new energy technologies, according to the results of a representative survey of 4,000 households. According to the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research, two thirds of homeowners in Germany want to operate a solar power system by 2029. That would almost double today's figures.

This trend is independent of the party preference of owner-occupiers. By 2029, 65 percent of all owner-occupiers in Germany could own a solar power system, 41 percent an electric car and 38 percent a heat pump. This would roughly correspond to a doubling of solar systems (currently 36 percent) and heat pumps (currently 15 percent). For electric cars, which only 12 percent of owners drive today, this corresponds to a tripling in the next four years.

PV becomes the key

Solar systems act as a door opener. Homeowners who already generate their own solar power or are planning to install a solar system show a very high level of interest in investing in heat pumps and electric cars. Their share is four times higher than that of homeowners without a solar power system or corresponding purchase plans. This correlation applies regardless of income and political preferences.

The survey shows that homeowners' party political preferences play only a minor role in their choice of technology overall. Around a third of Union, SPD, FDP, AfD and BSW voters have already installed a PV system. Among supporters of the Greens and the Left, it is even one in two.

There is also a balanced picture of around 30 percent across party preferences when it comes to plans to purchase PV systems by 2029. "Financial considerations are at the forefront when investing in photovoltaic systems," commented study director Steffen de Sombre. Homeowners expect the expansion of private photovoltaic systems to be promoted not only by the Greens, but also by the CDU/CSU.

High willingness to invest

Until now, the question of whether homeowners invest in solar systems, heat pumps or electric cars has been heavily dependent on income. Around half of households with a monthly net income of 5,000 euros or more already have a solar power system on their roof. For household incomes of up to 2,500 euros, this is only the case for 24 percent of homeowners, whereas for incomes of 2,500 euros to less than 5,000 euros, it is the case for 35 percent of homeowners.

The survey now shows that household income does not play a dominant role in the willingness to invest in solar systems: With household incomes of more than 2,500 euros per month, around 30 percent of homeowners across all income classes are aiming to build a solar power system. The proportion of households with an income of between EUR 2,500 and EUR 5,000 who want to buy an electric car is similarly high (30 percent). Only in the case of heat pumps is the willingness to purchase an electric car at 23 percent in the income bracket of 2,500 to 5,000 euros and 31 percent among households with an income of more than 7,500 euros.

Costs remain the main obstacle

Across all three technologies, homeowners who are not yet considering an investment cite the acquisition costs as the main reason for this. This applies in particular to respondents with a household income of less than 2,500 euros. This is also where the willingness to purchase is lowest. Conversely, however, the majority of homeowners who already use modern energy technologies or are planning to purchase them cite the savings in energy costs as their motivation.

"With the right framework conditions, the next federal government can stabilize this technology boom," said Carolin Friedemann, founder and Managing Director of the Initiative Climate Neutral Germany (IKND). The initiative commissioned the survey. She claimed that this would benefit not only homeowners but also German SMEs, i.e. manufacturers and installers.

Peter Wegner, President of the German Home Owners' Association, added: "Homeowners simply expect the next federal government to create reliable investment conditions." Wegner called for this to be flanked by low-threshold advice and information services.

The survey was conducted because around 80 percent of residential buildings in Germany are detached or semi-detached houses and 41.5 million people live in them. These people are particularly affected by the transformation issues of energy generation, sustainable heating and driving.

Author: Susanne Harmsen