Rising energy prices ensure a sustained solar boom in Germany. In 2023, the demand for photovoltaic systems will grow in double digits for the seventh year in a row, the German Solar Industry Association (BSW) predicted on Tuesday. For solar batteries, it will be the fifth year. “Almost all signs continue to point to growth: solar systems are inexpensive, the number of skilled workers is increasing, the delivery situation is improving and market barriers are being increasingly dismantled,” explained BSW General Manager Carsten Körnig. However, he restricted that high interest rates could inhibit the willingness to invest.
In the first quarter of 2023, around 159,000 photovoltaic systems were put into operation in the home segment alone, more than twice as many as in the same period last year. The number of installed solar power storage systems will already exceed the number of solar batteries installed in 2022 as a whole by the end of June. In addition to more and larger solar parks, private property owners are increasingly important drivers of the energy transition. According to the Federal Network Agency, their demand for PV systems and solar storage more than tripled between 2019 and 2022. By 2030, the share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption should be 80 percent.
With an output of 215 gigawatts, photovoltaics should make an important contribution. Around 70 gigawatts are currently installed. Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) wants to simplify and thus accelerate the expansion of solar energy in Germany with numerous adjustment screws.