Germany has reached the halfway point in its legally binding target to double solar power capacity to 215GW by 2030, according to new figures from the Federal Network Agency.
The country’s total installed photovoltaic capacity now stands at around 107.5GW, covering approximately 15% of electricity demand.
However, the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) said the rate of solar expansion has slowed in recent months and warned this could jeopardise the national target.
“There is no way around a stronger expansion of photovoltaics and storage systems in terms of climate and energy policy,” said BSW-Solar managing director Carsten Körnig (pictured).
“The current heat wave and increasing climate damage make this painfully clear.”
Körnig said solar is now the cheapest form of electricity globally and has become an essential tool in reducing energy costs for households and businesses.
More than five million solar systems are now operational across German rooftops, balconies and open spaces, BSW-Solar said.
The association called on the federal government to act swiftly by removing remaining market barriers and delivering long-awaited EU state aid approval for the so-called solar package.
BSW-Solar also urged faster implementation of plans to streamline and digitalise grid connections and said battery storage deployment must be significantly increased.
Current battery storage capacity in Germany stands at around 20GWh across two million systems, but experts estimate 100–150GWh will be needed by 2030.
BSW-Solar said this would require full implementation of the building law privilege for storage systems included in the coalition agreement.
Körnig added: “Half of the way is done, but the next stage is not a foregone conclusion.”
