The country reaches a new milestone: with over one million new solar installations registered in 2024, Germany surpasses 100 GW of operational photovoltaic capacity. And it starts 2025 with another 1.12 GW of new capacity.
Germany’s latest solar power data
While solar installations in Italy are slowing down—Terna’s data for January 2025 indicates a declining trend—Germany’s sector continues its strong upward trajectory. In the first month of the new year alone, the country installed over 1 GW of new solar capacity. But the biggest milestone came at the end of 2024: 100 GW of operational photovoltaic capacity. The news comes from the solar association BSW, based on system data collected by the regulatory body BNetzA.
This achievement places Germany among the global leaders in solar energy, alongside China, the United States, and India, further solidifying its top position in the sector. The rapid expansion is driven by forward-thinking policies and a series of reforms aimed at cutting red tape and boosting incentives for rooftop installations.
100 GW of photovoltaic capacity: over half installed on rooftops
It’s no surprise that more than half of Germany’s 100 GW of photovoltaic capacity is installed on buildings and rooftops. Specifically, around 38 GW comes from residential rooftop systems, 29 GW from commercial rooftops, and 0.7 GW from plug-in balcony PV systems. The remaining 32 GW consists of ground-mounted solar farms.
Large-scale solar parks were the main driver of 2024’s growth, with a 40% increase (6.3 GW) compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, rooftop solar for businesses—whose final figures are still being calculated—is projected to have grown by 25% (3.6 GW) in 2024. However, despite falling module prices, the market is showing signs of a slight slowdown.
What’s next for Germany’s solar future?
Germany’s Bundesnetzagentur reported that the country added 1.12 GW of new photovoltaic capacity in January 2025, compared to 1.6 GW in January 2024 and 1.82 GW in December 2024.
“Reaching the next milestones in the energy transition is not a guaranteed success,” warned BSW’s representative, referencing Germany’s goal of 215 GW of solar capacity by 2030. “A stable and attractive regulatory framework is essential for ensuring investment willingness. This requires further political efforts,” he stated, urging the next government to “remove market barriers and create an appealing investment environment.”
According to analysts at S&P Global Commodity Insights, Germany’s solar capacity is expected to reach 130 GW by the end of 2026.
