The main reason for this is the high energy prices: The demand for photovoltaic systems for private homes has risen sharply – by 146 percent in the first quarter. The industry expects growth to continue.
According to the German Solar Industry Association (BSW), 159,000 photovoltaic systems for private homes were put into operation throughout Germany in the first quarter. This is an increase of 146 percent compared to the same period last year.
Seventh consecutive increase expected
According to the Federal Association, the demand for solar systems in Germany is likely to grow in double digits this year for the seventh time in a row. In addition to systems from private homeowners, the BSW statistics also include other investors such as farmers who have solar systems installed on agricultural land. The industry association has published the latest data from one day at the Intersolar trade fair, which opens tomorrow in Munich and is considered an important meeting point for the green electricity industry.
According to BSW CEO Carsten Körnig, the current solar boom is due to several factors. On the one hand, the strong increase in energy prices in the past year is responsible for this. For others, Körnig also sees a Corona aftermath: “Many homeowners invested a lot in their home during the pandemic.”
Solar storage is also in high demand
The demand for solar storage systems also continues to rise significantly. According to the association, by the end of June the number of new solar power storage systems will already exceed the total number of solar batteries installed last year.
With a photovoltaic system on the roof or on the balcony, private households can, on the one hand, reduce the amount of electricity they purchase from the utility grid and thus save costs. On the other hand, excess electricity is usually fed into the public power grid and paid to the system owner via a feed-in tariff.
relief for facility owner
A number of changes in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) have made your own photovoltaic system even more attractive since the beginning of the year. Newly installed systems are exempt from sales tax. The feed-in tariff for new systems was also increased.
According to the industry association BSW, the high demand from private homeowners is one of the most important drivers of the energy transition. “Almost all signs continue to point to growth,” said Körnig, head of the association. “Solar systems are inexpensive, and the number of skilled workers is increasing.” The delivery situation is also improving and market barriers are increasingly being broken down.