The German government is stepping up the pace in photovoltaics. In the next few years, the expansion is to be multiplied, and more solar systems are to be installed on roofs in particular. Something similar is happening beyond Germany's borders: More and more countries are succeeding in adding capacity of more than one gigawatt per year. "The pace is welcome, but also necessary in terms of climate protection", commented Markus W. Voigt, CEO of the aream Group. "To maintain and increase it, bottlenecks in storage and grids must be managed."

The European industry association SolarPower Europe calculates that installed solar energy capacity worldwide rose by 45 percent last year. Roof systems even increased by almost half. At the end of 2022, photovoltaic systems with an output of around 1.2 terawatts (TW) were installed, according to SolarPower. For the end of 2027, the association expects 3.5 TW. 

It took 22 years to reach a photovoltaic capacity of one TW worldwide, according to SolarPower. By the end of the decade, additions alone would likely be one TW per year. That's because more and more countries are installing more than one GW annually. Their number grew from twelve to 26 last year, and could reach 50 next year. To achieve its solar targets, the German government wants to triple the annual expansion in Germany from around seven GW and has presented a "solar package" to this end, which is intended to reduce obstacles and bureaucracy. "In view of the growing production capacities, however, the further development of grids and storage capacities must not be forgotten", Voigt warns. "The electricity produced must also be available in line with demand."

In the past August, the production of aream solar plants in Germany fell short of the target values. There were a normal number of hours of sunshine. However, losses were caused by the shutdown of the plant in Rotthalmünster and work by the grid operator at the Weitgendorf solar park, explained Voigt. In Spain, on the other hand, 99 percent of the target value was achieved. Italy achieved a precision landing in August (target achievement 100 percent).

The aream wind turbines in Germany reached their target in August at just under 92 percent with a good wind supply - and this despite the fact that one turbine has been at a standstill since March 13 due to generator bearing damage. The repair has been postponed until September. This resulted in a loss of 450 MWh in August, and the total loss of yield adds up to 3,200 MWh. Still, the wind turbine target achievement for the first eight months of the current year was 99 percent. "As always, it shows that a mix in the plant portfolio pays off", Voigt emphasizes.