Over 100,000 MW of PV capacity installed in Germany

07.01.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Installed PV capacity in Germany grew by ten percent to over 100,000 MW last year alone, according to the latest projections by the German Solar Industry Association.

With the growth in 2024, the solar power plant portfolio was able to cover around 14 percent of electricity consumption, compared to 12 percent in 2023. This was reported by the German Solar Industry Association (BSW Solar), citing figures from the Federal Network Agency. In 2024, around one million photovoltaic systems with a peak output of around 17,000 MW were newly commissioned on roofs and open spaces to generate electricity from sunlight, meaning that more than 100,000 MW of PV capacity will be connected to the grid for the first time.

By 2030, the installed PV capacity is set to increase to 215,000 MW, more than doubling, according to the legislator. "With continued market growth of roughly the same magnitude over the next two years, we are entering the home straight," hopes BSW Managing Director Carsten Körnig. At the same time, he warns that the technology needs further support.

"Achieving the next milestones in the energy transition is not a foregone conclusion," he said. An attractive and reliable regulatory framework is a prerequisite for a corresponding willingness to invest. Further political efforts are required for this. "The construction of solar systems and storage facilities is essential for the future supply of affordable electricity and the mitigation of climate impact costs," explained Körnig. "The next German government should therefore remove market barriers and ensure an attractive investment framework," demanded the BSW representative.

Majority of citizens want PV systems

The association backs up this demand with a representative survey conducted by Yougov on behalf of BSW Solar. According to the survey, almost two thirds of those questioned would like to see a faster expansion of solar technology. This applies to supporters of all political camps. In their opinion, the parties should commit themselves to the further expansion of solar energy and battery storage, for example by reducing bureaucracy or with suitable funding instruments.

Voters from the CDU/CSU (71%), FDP (72%), SPD (73%) and Greens (88%) are particularly supportive of this. The German Solar Industry Association has summarized in a 10-point paper which political measures would be necessary to achieve this from the perspective of the solar industry.

Ground-mounted systems dominate growth

According to BSW Solar, ground-mounted solar parks were the main growth drivers last year, with an increase of around 40 percent in the previous year and a newly installed capacity of 6,300 MW. For solar power systems on company roofs, the association anticipates an increase in growth of 3,600 MW - i.e. around 25 percent, taking into account late registrations still to be expected.

Demand for plug-in solar devices, so-called "balcony power plants", continued to boom. Their newly installed capacity doubled to 400 MW in 2024 compared to the previous year. After several record years in a row, however, the growth of solar power systems on residential rooftops slowed in the past year. Compared to the previous year, their newly installed photovoltaic output fell by around 15 percent. In conjunction with a fall in the price of solar modules, this caused problems for many solar companies last year.

The ten-point plan for PV expansion can be downloaded as a PDF from the BSW Solar website.

Author: Susanne Harmsen