Germany s foreign literature on solar power generation

What percentage of Germany's energy supply is renewable?

In 2018, renewable energy generation in Germany accounted for 43% of the total energy supply, including 8% for solar PV. In the same year, Germany introduced the Climate Protection Act 2030, with the goal of renewable energy reaching more than 65% of the total energy supply by 2030 (Enkhardt, 2019).

How much solar power does Germany have?

At the end of 2023, the country boasted a capacity of about 61 gigawatts (GW), according to figures by solar PV industry group BSW Solar. In contrast to conventional energy systems focused on big and centralised producers, tens of thousands of small solar panel operators have become an important part of the German energy system.

What happened to solar power in Germany?

Since the technology's large-scale launch through the Renewable Energy Act in the year 2000, German companies quickly ascended to global leadership in solar power technology before a collapse after 2012 forced many of them to drop out of business - and continue to struggle with cheaper competitors more than 10 years later.

What is the contribution of solar energy to global electricity production?

While the contribution of solar energy to global electricity production remains generally low at 3.6%, it has firmly established itself among other renewable energy technologies, comprising nearly 31% of the total installed renewable energy capacity in 2022 (IRENA, 2023).

Do solar panels contribute to Germany's Power Mix?

Solar arrays can contribute a much greater share to the German power mix during particularly sunny times. On 7 July 2023, solar power reached its highest output ever in Germany so far, providing 68 percent of the entire electricity mix at about noon, when both sun intensity and usually also power consumption are at peak levels.

What is Germany's energy concept?

The Energy Concept, initially introduced in 2010 and revised following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, serves as a guiding framework for Germany's energy transition, setting ambitious targets for the phased reduction of nuclear energy and carbon emissions ( IEA, 2013 ).