BERLIN, Jan 6 (Reuters) – Germany's installed solar capacity has exceeded 100 gigawatts (GW) at the start of 2025, marking a significant milestone for the country's renewable energy sector, according to government data analyzed by the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar).
Solar power now accounts for around 14% of the country's electricity consumption, up from 12% in 2023. The growth was largely driven by an increase in ground-mounted solar parks, which saw a year-on-year capacity boost of approximately 40%, or 6.3 GW.
In 2024, Germany added about 17GW of new solar capacity, a 10% increase from the previous year's 15.4 GW. This expansion includes both utility-scale solar farms and rooftop installations. By 2030, the country aims to increase its solar capacity to 215GW.
Carsten Kornig, managing director of the German Solar Industry Association, highlighted the momentum of the sector, stating: “With continued market growth of roughly the same magnitude over the next two years, we are entering the home stretch. However, achieving the next milestones of the energy transition is not a foregone conclusion.”
Kornig stressed that maintaining this growth will require a supportive regulatory environment, adding, “The prerequisite for a corresponding willingness to invest is an attractive and reliable regulatory framework. Further political efforts are needed for this.” He emphasized the importance of continued investment in solar and storage systems to ensure a low-cost electricity supply and mitigate climate-related costs.
A YouGov survey commissioned by BSW-Solar revealed strong public support for solar energy, with almost two-thirds of Germans expressing a desire for a faster expansion of solar technology.
