Boom in solar installations in Germany: +35% at the start of 2024

The dynamism of the German solar sector is confirmed, with 35% growth in solar installations in the first four months of 2024. Increasing industrial and commercial demand for photovoltaics is reinforcing this trend.

Share:

Installations solaires Allemagne

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90£/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90£/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 £/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99£/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 £/year from the second year.

BSW (Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft) has announced a significant 35% increase in solar installations in Germany in the first four months of 2024. This growth is mainly attributable to increased demand for industrial, commercial and ground-mounted photovoltaic installations.

Government background and objectives

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the drastic reduction in Russian fossil fuel exports to Germany, Berlin has introduced a number of legislative measures to accelerate the expansion of solar energy. These measures are part of Germany’s ambitious plan to cover 80% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. According to BSW, new solar capacity exceeded five gigawatts (GW) in the first third of the year, with strong interest from 56% of businesses and over 60% of property owners in investing in solar systems, according to a May survey by YouGov.

Growth in Solar Installations

BSW forecasts double-digit growth in solar installations and storage capacity in 2024, in line with government targets of 19 GW of new annual capacity to reach 215 GW, or 25% of domestic electricity consumption by 2030. In the first four months of the year, newly installed photovoltaic capacity on commercial rooftops rose by 81%, while solar installations on open spaces increased by 74% compared to the same period last year. In the residential sector, new installations rose by 1%.

Market trends and outlook

BSW Chairman Carsten Körnig said in a statement:

“After a significant solar boom in German residential areas, commercial rooftops and underperforming open spaces are now being electrified with solar technology.”

This development is crucial if we are to meet the renewable energy targets set by the German government.
Germany thus continues to strengthen its position as European leader in renewable energies, despite geopolitical and economic challenges. The rapid growth of the solar sector illustrates not only an efficient energy transition, but also resilience in the face of disruptions to fossil fuel markets.

Solar and storage accounted for 82% of new U.S. power capacity in early 2025, despite federal measures slowing their expansion.
Statkraft France won a 15.5 MWc solar project in Mourmelon-le-Grand during the latest national tender round, bringing its total awarded capacity to nearly 70 MWc in less than a year.
Solar growth in Central Europe has doubled that of the European Union since 2019, reshaping the energy mix and boosting battery manufacturing in the region.
Canadian energy producer Cordelio Power has completed commissioning of its Winfield solar project, a 150 MW facility backed by a 15-year contract with Microsoft and a $313mn structured financing deal.
Platform Anza surpassed its 2024 volume in just eight months, responding to developers’ urgency to secure projects ahead of regulatory and fiscal changes expected in 2026.
Canadian developer Innergex has won all six projects of the Grenier des Essences portfolio for a total of 85 MW, strengthening its position in France’s ground-mounted solar sector.
Canadian Solar unveils its new low-carbon solar modules integrating heterojunction cells and thinner wafers, achieving up to 24.4% efficiency and a peak power output of 660 Wp.
Elmya Energy and Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure have created a joint venture targeting 4 GW of renewable energy projects in the United States, focused on the ERCOT and WECC markets.
Louth Callan has completed the Mousam River solar project in Sanford, marking a key milestone in the deployment of utility-scale energy infrastructure across the United States.
The state regulator has approved five new solar power purchase agreements to support growing demand under the CARES programme, targeting industrial and commercial clients.
With the commissioning of the El Carrizo plant, Ecoener surpasses 500 MW in installed capacity and becomes the most active Spanish investor in Guatemala’s energy sector.
Aspen Power has finalised the acquisition of two community solar projects totalling over 1 MWdc in New Jersey, developed by Ecogy Energy, with construction expected to begin shortly.
French developer Tenergie has started work on a ground-mounted solar plant at a former quarry, with expected annual output of 7.6 GWh from 2026.
Octopus Energy strengthens its presence in Spain with three new energy projects totalling 600 MW, powering 2.3 million households and accelerating the expansion of its European renewables portfolio.
VSB Italy has obtained authorisation to build a 6.2 MW agrivoltaic plant in Città della Pieve, combining solar power generation and agricultural cultivation on 10.6 hectares.
Ameren Missouri announces a 250 MW solar project to power 44,000 homes, reducing delays and costs through strategic development on company-owned land.
Verso Energy has inaugurated an experimental solar power plant in Outarville, testing the integration of photovoltaic panels across three hectares of large-scale crops with a 90% self-consumption rate.
Independent power producer R.Power is selling a 440MW ready-to-build photovoltaic portfolio in Poland, as political uncertainties drive a wave of divestments in the national renewable energy market.
Grenergy has finalised the sale of the fourth phase of its hybrid solar-storage project in Chile to CVC DIF, valued at up to $475mn, while retaining operation and maintenance for five years.
Q ENERGY secures financing for 252 MW of solar projects in Spain, marking its first independent power producer operation on the Iberian Peninsula.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.