Germany is powering ahead in its clean energy transition. The number of photovoltaic (PV) systems installed across the country has soared to a new high, reflecting the nation’s commitment to renewable energy. According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), over 4.2 million solar systems were installed on German rooftops and properties as of March 2025, a remarkable 23.7% increase compared to March 2024.
This surge highlights not only growing environmental awareness but also the impact of supportive government policies and declining solar technology costs.
The rise in installations was accompanied by a notable boost in capacity. Germany’s total installed photovoltaic capacity reached approximately 98,300 megawatts (MW) in March 2025, a 21.9% year-on-year increase.
These statistics cover all PV systems feeding electricity into the public grid and equipped with meters to measure their contribution. However, smaller systems such as balcony power plants are generally not included in the official count.
Solar power has become an essential component of Germany’s energy mix. In 2024 alone, photovoltaic systems fed 59.5 million megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity into the grid, accounting for 13.8% of total domestic electricity production. This marked a new record for solar energy’s share in Germany’s power generation.
In July 2024, Germany set a new solar power record, with photovoltaic systems generating nearly 8.7 million megawatt-hours, accounting for 27.4% of the electricity fed into the grid that month.
Germany’s solar boom remains heavily dependent on imports. In 2024, 85.8% of photovoltaic systems imported into Germany originated from China. The Netherlands and Denmark followed at a distance, contributing 7.5% and 1.2% respectively.
However, the first four months of 2025 brought a slowdown in imports. The value of imported solar cells and modules dropped by 21.5% year-on-year, totaling just over €402 million. The export value of photovoltaic systems also dropped during this period, declining by nearly a third (32.9%) from approximately €189 million to just under €127 million.
While installations are on the rise, Germany’s domestic solar manufacturing sector is struggling. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of solar modules produced fell by over 50%, with only 227,000 units manufactured.
Solar collector production, which converts solar energy into heat for water and heating systems, also declined by 10.3% during the same period. Germany’s solar module production saw a sharp decline in 2024, with just over 1.5 million units produced for sale, a drop of 56.2% compared to 2023, when nearly 3.5 million modules were manufactured.
Despite the current boom in installations, the sharp decline in imports and domestic production raises concerns about future growth. With solar energy now contributing a record share of electricity, the push toward a greener future is undeniable, but challenges remain.
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