107.5GW! Germany’s Solar Capacity Passes Halfway to Its 215GW 2030 Target

PVTIME – On 5 July, the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) announced that Germany’s solar capacity had reached 107.5 GW, marking the halfway point towards its 215GW target for 2030. This milestone encompasses a variety of installations, ranging from rooftops and balconies to open spaces, highlighting the nation’s progress in its energy transition.

There are now over 500,000 solar systems operating across Germany, generating around 15% of the country’s electricity, nearly double the 8% recorded in 2020. Carsten Körnig of BSW-Solar emphasised that distributed energy, ranging from small balcony setups to industrial-scale plants, is reshaping Germany’s energy landscape. Notably, 40% of the installed capacity comes from rooftop systems installed by households and businesses. Balcony solar installations have surged by 220% in 2024, reaching 1.2 million units. This grassroots energy transition model has been praised by the EU.

However, recent extreme heat has put a strain on the system: In June 2025, temperatures exceeded 40°C, reducing solar efficiency by 8–12%, while increased use of air conditioning pushed grid peak demand up by 35% year on year. BSW-Solar emphasised the need for energy storage to balance supply and demand. Current capacity stands at 12GWh, which is enough for just 3% of solar output. However, 80GWh is required to meet the 2030 climate neutrality goal. Concerns have been raised over a 20% cut to storage subsidy budgets in the latest draft from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Despite this milestone, growth is slowing. Solar component imports fell by 18% in the first four months of 2025, with domestic production down by 12%, the first dual decline in five years, amid global silicon price fluctuations, changes to the EU carbon tariff and issues with shipping in the Red Sea. Grid delays pose an even greater challenge: 2.3GW of projects were stalled in 2024 due to connection delays, with approval times averaging 14 months, well above the EU’s six-month guideline. BSW-Solar warned that each year of delay reduces the likelihood of achieving the 2030 target by 7%, which would put Germany’s position in terms of global solar technology advancements at risk.