Revised Photovoltaic Strategy

• BMWK has released a revised PV strategy for Germany after factoring in responses to its March 2023 version
• It includes 11 GW annual installation target for ground mounted and rooftop PV each from 2026 onward
• Government says it will simplify permitting processes for solar projects and also bring in new model for community solar

The German Economy and Climate Ministry (BMWK) has come out with a revised Photovoltaic Strategy (PV Strategy) which envisions installation of 11 GW ground mounted PV and 11 GW rooftop PV capacity annually from 2026 onward.

The revision follows feedback received from stakeholders in the form of more than 600 comments to the original draft version of the strategy that was released and opened for public consultation in March 2023 (see Germany Invites Public Consultation For PV Strategy).

BMWK Minister Dr Robert Habeck unveiled the revised strategy on May 3, 2023 comprising 11 points. Under the revised version, the government plans to speed up planning and approval procedures to provide space for ground mounted projects, while also enabling dual use of land through innovative concepts as agrivoltaics.

Revised strategy plans are expected to provide a boost to larger commercial installations. It plans to introduce simplified permitting procedures also for rooftop solar and balcony PV to make it easier for everyone to use.

Additionally, the ministry plans to introduce a new model for community solar to enable on-site use of solar power for all, and also improve existing tenant electricity model.

BMWK said it plans to remove 'tax law hurdles' for the ramp-up of PV and build industrial production capacities for entire value chain in Germany and Europe to meet increasing demand with local production.

Local solar industry association BSW Solar welcomed the revised draft but was cautious in its praise. "According to the first analysis, the PV strategy contains a lot of light and hardly any shadows. But as always, even a good plan is not a good law, and as always, the devil is in the details. I therefore hope that concrete legislative initiatives can now quickly be derived from the measures and test orders described – in agreement with the Departments of Construction, Agriculture, Environment and Finance as well as with the federal states," said BSW's General Manager Carsten Körnig.

This version of the strategy will remain open to further feedback, according to the ministry that plans to present some of the measures to the cabinet before the summer break as part of Solar Package I. It will be followed by a 2^nd solar package.

At the end of 2022, Germany had installed a cumulative of 67 GW solar PV capacity, representing around 45% of total renewable energy share of almost 150 GW. Last year it deployed over 7 GW, but the numbers are likely to increase dramatically in 2023 as the country has already deployed more than 2.6 GW in Q1/2023 (see Germany Installed 944 MW Solar In March 2023).

For 2023, Germany offically targets to add 9 GW, followed by 13 GW in 2024 and 18 GW in 2025, followed by 22 GW annually from 2026 as listed in the EEG 2023.