July brings new German solar power output record in a single month
n-tv
Germany saw a record level of solar power output in July despite sunshine levels being lower than the previous year, broadcaster n-tv reported. At 10.1 terawatt hours (TWh), solar power accounted for around 43 percent of the 23.6 TWh of electricity generated from renewable sources last month, according to data from the economy ministry (BMWK). Twelve percent more solar power capacity was installed from January to July than in the first seven months of 2023.
The large increase in solar energy production is impacting the grid: temporary bottlenecks arise with the widely fluctuating quantities of solar electricity over the course of the day and year, according to a recent report by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW). Periods of negative prices on the wholesale electricity market have increased, highlighting a need for more energy storage and better incentives to ensure storage systems serve the overall electricity system.
Germany has met its target of installing 88 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity by 2024. According to the economy ministry, installed solar systems totalled a capacity of over 90 GW by the end of June. By 2030, the government aims for 215 GW of installed solar capacity, and to cover 80 percent of its gross electricity consumption with renewables. Renewable power sources covered around 57 percent of Germany's gross electricity consumption in the first half of 2024.
