Germany surpassed 100 GW of installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity by end of 2024 (≈ 103–105 GW).
Solar power generated around 72.2 TWh in 2024, accounting for about 14 % of the country’s total electricity generation.
Renewables overall reached ~ 60 %+ of electricity generation in recent years (solar being a growing contributor).
Growth in new solar installations is strong: in 2024 additions were around 16.2 GW.
Germany has a target of reaching 215 GW of PV capacity by 2030. To meet targets, Germany must maintain or grow current pace. Any slowdown threatens to miss the 2030 goal
To hit that 2030 target, new installation rates must continue at high levels (≈ 15-20 GW per year). For example, in 2023 the rate was ~14.1 GW.
Domestic/regulatory policies have supported solar deployment: e.g., simplified grid connection for small PV systems, promotion of roof-mounted and “balcony” solar systems
Cost declines in solar modules and system components have helped make solar more economically viable. High levels of PV generation also demand more storage (batteries, other forms) and flexible demand/ grid systems. The market for batteries is growing but still catching up.
With Germany moving away from coal and nuclear, and reducing reliance on fossil imports, solar becomes an important domestic resource to growing demand for power.
Solar energy growth is not only in large ground-mounted farms but also rooftop, commercial, and even “balcony PV” for homes. Example: private installations with battery storage are increasing.
Germany also plans more focus on sector coupling: using solar not just for electricity but for heating, mobility/electric vehicles, etc., to maximise the value of PV in the energy system.
Witznitz solar park near Leipzig is Germany’s largest PV project to date: it has a capacity of about 650 MW of modules and is expected to generate around 0.6 TWh (600 GWh) annually.
