The German Federal Association of the Solar Industry (BSW-Solar) reported that there are now 5 million solar power plants (SPPs) operating in the country. This data is based on an analysis of the register of the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur).

Key figures:

• In 2024, more than 1 million new SPPs with a total capacity of about 17 GW were installed in Germany.
• The first million solar stations were reached in 2011 thanks to high “green tariffs” and lower equipment prices.
• The second million were installed in 2020.
• Currently, the total solar power capacity in Germany is 104 GW, which covers almost 15% of the country’s electricity consumption.
• In January 2025, Germany surpassed the 100 GW mark in installed capacity.

Structure of solar energy:

• 38% — domestic rooftop solar power plants (up to 30 kW).
• 29% — commercial and industrial rooftop solar power plants (over 30 kW).
• 32% — ground-mounted solar power plants.
• 0.7% — “balcony” micro-solar power plants (fast-growing segment: almost 850 thousand devices with a total capacity of about 735 MW).

Economic effect

According to calculations by the consulting company Neon, without the development of solar energy, electricity prices on the wholesale market would be 25% higher.

Energy storage

The total number of energy storage devices in Germany has exceeded 1.8 million, which shows a close connection between the development of solar energy and energy storage systems.

Forecast

BSW-Solar expects that the share of solar energy in Germany’s energy balance will approximately double in the next ten years.

Conclusion

Germany is actively developing solar energy, combining small home installations, industrial solar power plants and large solar parks. Growth is supported by cost reductions, government measures and the development of storage, making renewable energy a key element of the energy transition.