The Federal Ministry of Economics has presented an updated photovoltaic strategy that promises to simplify and accelerate the expansion of solar energy in Germany. The strategy includes concrete plans for the construction and connection of solar systems, as well as the promotion of training and research. The implementation is expected to begin immediately with the publication of legislative packages. Germany’s solar industry has welcomed the strategy, with Carsten Körnig, General Manager of the German Solar Industry Association, stating that there is no alternative to comprehensive energy policy reforms and investment barrier removal.
By 2030, the share of renewable energy in gross electricity consumption should be 80%, with the plan to have an installed capacity of 215 gigawatts of solar energy by then. Last year, more than 7 gigawatts of solar energy was installed, with an interim target of 9 gigawatts for the current year. The BMWK intends to achieve the expansion targets by 2030 with new legislative packages.
The BMWK has named eleven individual measures for the strategy, including the increased construction of open space systems, with the ground-mounted systems aiming to expand by 11 GW annually from 2026. The BMWK also plans simplifications for construction and marketing of roof systems, with an annual expansion target of 11 GW from 2026. Grid connections for both ground-mounted and roof systems are to be accelerated.
The PV strategy envisages a “communal building supply,” for which the tenant electricity model is to be further optimized, and simplifications are planned for balcony solar systems. The public’s acceptance of solar energy is to be increased by extending the funding program for onshore wind energy to include PV systems. Domestic production of PV modules and other components is to be built up again through subsidy programs. Skilled workers are to be won through an increase in training opportunities and further training, as well as through the immigration of skilled workers. At EU level, the accelerated expansion is to be supported by initiatives as part of the “Fit for 55” package.
