Germany unveils strategy to speed up solar expansion

Germany has presented a strategy containing measures in eleven areas that aim to significantly accelerate the deployment of solar energy across the country.

The comprehensive strategy was unveiled on Friday at the second solar photovoltaic (PV) summit following consultations that took place in March and April.

The main fields of action defined in the document specify measures to ensure enough areas and faster approval procedures for ground-mounted solar farms; a boost for rooftop commercial and industrial (C&I) solar installations as well as simplifications for small PV and balcony PV systems to make their installation easier; measures to speed up and simplify grid connection for both ground-mounted and rooftop systems; actions to build industrial production capacity in Germany and Europe as well as to promote technology development along the entire value chain; measures to provide training opportunities to ensure skilled workers for the planning, installation and maintenance of solar systems; removal of tax hurdles to solar deployment and a new model for tenant electricity.

Some of the measures will be submitted to the Cabinet before the summer break as part of the so-called "first solar package" while those requiring a more detailed preparation will follow in a second solar package.

Commenting on the strategy, economy minister Robert Habeck said that its aim is to significantly accelerate the rollout of solar energy and remove all hurdles that have so far prevented a faster deployment. According to him, Germany is well on track to meet its 2023 target of 9 GW of new solar capacity as it deployed almost 2.7 GW in the first three months of the year.

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