Photovoltaic systems are experiencing an unprecedented boom in Germany. The speed of installation varies from region to region. The solar technology development map can reflect strong growth in different regions and also clearly reveals North-South differences.
Development Status of Photovoltaic Technology in Germany
2022 is a year when people suddenly become sensitive and concerned about energy. Overlooking Germany, PV growth in the north is twice as high as in the south: PV systems increased by around 20% in Niedersachsen, Meizen, Schlsch-Holstein and other city states, while in Bavaria the PV growth was only 10% %, Baden State is only 11%. But the absolute number of solar rooftops in the southern federal states is much higher than in the north. The two states of Bavaria and Bafurt each reached 250,000 solar roofs. North Rhine-Westphalia is the strongest, with 330,000 solar roofs.
Southern and western Germany have an absolute base advantage in terms of solar status. If Schleswig-Holstein and Bauer-Württemberg maintain their respective growth rates of 20% and 11%, 20 years later, the northern federal state will still have about 1 million fewer photovoltaic installations than the southwestern one in absolute terms.
The solar system comparison portal Selfmade Energy assesses the growth of photovoltaics in German cities to 2050 (calculated as photovoltaic systems with an output of more than 1 kWp). Eight East German cities made it into the top ten.
Creuzburg in Thuringia became the solar capital of Germany with a growth rate of 106%. Krempe in Schleswig-Holstein followed with a 57% increase. Then there was Richtenberg in May, up 56 percent.
Among the metropolises with a population of more than 500,000, Cologne will see the strongest growth in solar power generation in 2022, at 29%. Düsseldorf and Dresden followed with 25% and 24% respectively.
Dortmund has the highest density of photovoltaic systems. There are nearly 10 photovoltaic devices for every 1,000 people. Nuremberg has about eight, and Stuttgart is third with seven. It is worth noting that Cologne, Düsseldorf and Dresden have experienced strong growth in the past 5 years, with the number of photovoltaics per capita more than doubling.
Photovoltaic technology has become a boom
According to the German Solar Industry Association (BSW), the average nationwide PV growth rate in 2022 will be around 28%. Three quarters of private homeowners with solar-capable roofs are considering solar systems, and this growth trend is likely to continue in the future. A survey of 1,022 homeowners in Germany commissioned by the Solar Industry Association at the end of December showed that one in five already planned to install solar roofs within the next year. Among those who want to buy a photovoltaic system, 80% plan to buy a solar energy storage system.
Due to skyrocketing electricity prices, private households have become more attractive to photovoltaic systems since the beginning of the year. BSW chairman Carsten Körnig said: "The industry is already full of engineering orders and the solar boom is expected to last longer."
Solar roofs mandatory in some federal states
In addition, there are federal states that make it mandatory to install solar roofs. Hamburg introduced a mandatory obligation to install solar roofs in 2020. It has been a year since the states of Baden-Württemberg and NRW made it mandatory to install photovoltaic systems on new non-residential buildings. From May 2022, new residential buildings in Baden will also be forced to install photovoltaic or solar thermal systems. The same applies to the roof renovations that started this year.
The states of Schleswig-Holstein, Berlin, Rhein-France and Lower Saxony followed suit and mandated the installation of photovoltaic systems on new non-residential buildings. Solar expert Rosengart said the rules could push for expansion again in 2023.
BSW Chairman Körnig believes that only by maintaining this year's market growth in the next four years, "can the solar industry make the politically desired contribution to achieving climate and energy transition goals."