From pv magazine Germany

On Whit Monday, the three millionth photovoltaic system in Germany was reported in the market master data register. In total, more than 70 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity are now installed in Germany, as the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) explained on Tuesday. At the same time, a look back shows how the momentum has increased. The first million was reached in 2011. The two millionth photovoltaic system went into operation in 2020. According to BSW-Solar’s expectations, the four million will be reached as early as next year. So far this year, almost 350,000 new photovoltaic systems have been recorded in the market master data register.

Private households in particular would continue to invest heavily in photovoltaics. In the first quarter of 2023, more than twice as many new photovoltaic systems were installed by homeowners as in the same period last year. “Under the impact of the energy crisis and as a result of improved framework conditions, the demand for solar technology has risen sharply. Solar energy is booming, especially in private households,” explains Carsten Körnig, General Manager of BSW Solar, about this increase of 129 percent. The number of plug-in solar devices is also rising sharply. According to estimates by the association, more than five million households are already using solar energy from their own roofs to generate electricity and heat. In addition to the photovoltaic systems, there are around 2.6 million solar thermal systems,

Last year, the target of seven gigawatts of photovoltaic expansion was exceeded. After the first few months, it looks as if the increase to nine gigawatts will be successful this year. Nevertheless, the goal of the federal government is to achieve an installed photovoltaic capacity of 215 gigawatts by 2030. Extrapolated linearly, according to the Federal Network Agency, a monthly increase of 1562 megawatts would have to be achieved. “In order to achieve the desired rate of solarization, we will have to install around 30 percent more solar power each year over the next four years than in the previous year,” Körnig explained. He was confident that in the event of a further improvement in investment conditions, demand for photovoltaics would also increase among commercial investors in the future. This could be through theImplementation of the measures specified in the “photovoltaic strategy” .

According to evaluations by the association, one third of the photovoltaic systems are installed on private buildings, commercial buildings and open spaces. For its target of 215 gigawatts, the federal government is aiming for roughly half of this to be distributed on roofs and open spaces.