According to the Market Attractiveness Index by the British think tank Aurora Energy Research, Germany has risen to become the EU's number one solar market. Conditions in the country are getting better and better. Science journalist Georg Ehring explains why.
German Radio reports that Germany's Federal Network Agency says that solar energy will account for 11.4 per cent of electricity consumption in Germany in 2022, a share that is still rising. "In Germany, the number of solar installations is relatively high and the number of installations per capita exceeds that of most countries. In terms of installations, only the Netherlands is ahead of us." Erling said. In addition, Germany will invest up to 40 billion euros in new solar installations by 2030. Politicians want to reach 215 GW of installed solar capacity by then - an extremely ambitious target.
"Historically, Germany has been at the forefront of solar energy use. In the 1990s, when solar energy was still relatively expensive, Germany had the world's largest installation of solar equipment." Erling said, "The government then stopped building due to cost considerations. That's why we have quite a lot of work to do today to make up for it."
China leads the world in solar energy
At that time, the science journalist says, a massive wave of bankruptcies began in the solar equipment manufacturing sector, with few companies surviving except for one PV inverter manufacturer, Esma Solar Technology AG. Basically, the entire production was moved to China. "On a global scale, China is way ahead in the solar sector."
Erling says that although the process is slow but indeed more and more manufacturers are landing in Germany again. For example, in May 2021, the Swiss company Meyerberg opened a solar cell production plant in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Germany's grid, once designed for large interchanges such as coal-fired power plants, has now also been connected to several small decentralised solar power plants. Erling says that this is an ongoing effort, but the site is working well.
The perfect combination of wind and sun
The sun is not as abundant in Germany as it is in Spain or Portugal - but thanks to the long hours of sunshine, solar energy is now also the cheapest source of energy after land-based wind.
In winter, when there is not enough sunshine but more wind, there is a delicate balance, so Germany needs not only solar but also wind energy. This is why Germany needs not only solar energy but also wind energy," explains Ehring.
In Germany, according to Erling, there is no shortage of space for installing solar panels on rooftops. Almost 90 per cent of the roof area is suitable but not yet used.
In addition, there are some conflicts regarding open space equipment, where there are often competing uses. But there is also already a very good solution and it is becoming increasingly popular: agricultural photovoltaics, i.e. photovoltaics in the field. Solar equipment is moved to a stand and raised to its height, and fruit and vegetables are grown below.
The trend towards solar energy is clear
The trend towards solar energy is clear, says Erling, and the production of panels and equipment looks promising. First of all, the companies involved will be supported by the European Union. And the German federal government has set itself an ambitious expansion target of equipping areas the size of 43 football pitches with solar equipment every day. By 2030, Germany is expected to account for 80 percent of renewable energy - with solar and wind leading the way.
And in future, the installation of solar equipment will be approved more quickly. It will also be easier to purchase solar equipment for balconies.