Germany's Solar Capacity to Quadruple to 425 GW by 2045, BDEW Reports
Germany's solar capacity is projected to quadruple to 425 GW by 2045, according to the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW). To meet the expansion target of 215 GW by 2030, an average of 19.6 GW needs to be added annually.
The BDEW highlighted the urgent need for network expansion, as regional network operators prepare updated expansion plans due in October. Battery storage capacity is expected to increase from approximately 2 GW to nearly 68 GW by 2045, while onshore wind capacity is projected to triple to nearly 175 GW.
Data center demand is forecasted to rise from 2 GW to almost 37 GW over the next 19 years. The BDEW emphasized the necessity for billions in investment and competitive regulatory incentives to support this historic expansion. In 2025, solar capacity increased by 16.4 GW, with nearly half from building-integrated systems and significant contributions from balcony solar installations.
