EuroWire, BERLIN: Solar power supplied about 18 percent of Germany’s electricity consumption in 2025, rising sharply from 14 percent a year earlier, according to data released on Monday by the German Solar Industry Association. The increase marked one of the strongest annual gains for photovoltaic generation in the country and reflected continued expansion in installed capacity and output across residential, commercial, and utility-scale systems. The higher contribution from solar power meant that photovoltaic generation exceeded electricity produced from lignite and natural gas during the year. Lignite accounted for roughly 14 percent of electricity generation, while natural gas contributed about 16 percent.
The shift represented a significant change in Germany’s electricity mix, as lignite has historically been among the country’s most important domestic energy sources. Solar power’s expanded role highlighted the growing weight of renewables within overall electricity consumption. The figures were based on data compiled by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, a leading research body specializing in renewable energy analysis. According to the data, wind power remained Germany’s largest single source of electricity in 2025, with a share of approximately 27 percent. Combined, wind and solar continued to account for nearly half of total electricity generation, underscoring the central role of renewables in the national power system.
Preliminary annual figures showed that more than 5.5 million installed photovoltaic systems generated around 87 terawatt hours of electricity in 2025. This output was about 15 terawatt hours higher than in 2024 and represented a new record for solar electricity generation in Germany. The increase reflected both the addition of new installations and higher overall production from existing systems over the course of the year. Germany’s photovoltaic capacity has expanded steadily through a mix of rooftop installations and large-scale solar parks.
Rooftop systems on private homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities accounted for a substantial share of total installed capacity. Utility-scale projects also contributed significantly, supported by national auction schemes designed to add renewable capacity in a controlled and competitive manner. Together, these segments continued to drive growth in solar electricity output. The expansion of solar generation occurred within the broader context of Germany’s energy transition, which has prioritized the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable sources in electricity production.
Solar power share rises across Germany electricity system
Over the past decade, Germany has increased renewable capacity across multiple technologies, including onshore and offshore wind, solar power, and biomass. The latest data indicated that solar power’s contribution continued to rise relative to conventional generation sources. While solar output increased, wind power remained the dominant renewable source in absolute terms. Wind generation’s 27 percent share of electricity consumption reflected strong installed capacity and sustained output across the year. The balance between wind and solar generation remained an important feature of Germany’s electricity mix, with each technology contributing at different times depending on weather and seasonal conditions.
The growth in photovoltaic generation also reflected continued declines in technology costs and wider deployment across regions. Germany’s solar sector has benefited from standardized installation processes and established supply chains, supporting the addition of capacity at both small and large scales. The widespread geographic distribution of photovoltaic systems contributed to overall generation resilience and reduced dependence on individual production sites. Electricity generated from solar power is measured at the point of production and contributes directly to domestic consumption.
Germany records continued rise in renewable output
The 18 percent share reported for 2025 referred to the proportion of total electricity consumption supplied by photovoltaic systems over the year. This metric accounted for variations in demand and generation across seasons and provided an overall measure of solar power’s role within the electricity system.
The latest figures confirmed that solar power has become one of Germany’s major sources of electricity, alongside wind, coal, and natural gas. With record output and a rising share of consumption, photovoltaic generation continued to strengthen its position within the national energy mix during 2025, according to the data released on Monday.