52% increase! Germany's roof photovoltaic and energy storage surge in 2022

52% increase! Germany's roof photovoltaic and energy storage surge in 2022

In 2022, the number of household solar energy and energy storage systems installed in Germany increased by 52% compared to the previous year, while three quarters of Germans would consider installing rooftop solar energy.

According to research and calculations by the German Solar Energy Industry Association (BSW) and comments received by PV Tech, in the past four years, household solar cell systems have increased fivefold, and the installed capacity of independent household photovoltaic systems has increased fourfold. In 2022 alone, the installed capacity of domestic solar energy storage projects in Germany increased by 52%, and the domestic photovoltaic deployment increased by over 40%.

BSW found that three quarters of homeowners would consider installing solar photovoltaic, with one fifth planning to install it within the next 12 months.

BSW stated that rising energy prices and consumers' desire for long-term stability and predictability are the main drivers of the increasing adoption of this technology by homeowners. In fact, the Association's survey of 1022 German homeowners found that 61% believed that the rise in electricity bills was the main reason for using rooftop solar energy. The second biggest reason (52%) is the desire to be independent of energy suppliers.

The growth of energy storage systems stems from similar motivations, but as the use of electric vehicles and heat pumps increases, household batteries become more attractive. A study by SolarPower Europe this month found that the combination of rooftop photovoltaic and heat pumps can save Germans 62% in electricity bills compared to households that rely solely on electricity grids and gas fired boilers.

In order to maximize energy security and solar deployment potential, developed countries such as Germany and the United States have held some discussions on the importance of distributed power grids. A November study by Ernst&Young showed that distributed power generation and decentralization are key to energy transformation in countries with advanced infrastructure. Energy storage adds another layer of protection to the potential independence and security of energy consumers.

Similarly, California, the wind vane of the global photovoltaic industry, has been promoting the transition from independent photovoltaic power generation to household solar energy storage. Its controversial NEM3.0 legislation will take effect next month.

Regarding the financing trend of homeowners using photovoltaic power generation in Germany, BSW found that about a quarter of people would rent their systems, while a similar number chose to finance through loans. The survey results show that more than two-thirds of household systems now have energy storage capabilities. More self management may save more money, but adding energy storage systems to household systems typically significantly increases costs.

The commercial rooftop sector also experienced growth in 2022, especially in terms of energy storage systems. BSW said that 28% of business owners plan to install solar energy storage systems on their buildings in the next three years. However, the Association is critical of the slow political movement, arguing that their failure to meet the needs of the business sector, lack of grid supply, and excessive bureaucracy are obstacles to the adoption of energy storage by private enterprises.

Germany has set an ambitious goal of deploying 215 GW of photovoltaic power by 2030. The user and business sectors can truly play a role in achieving these goals. BSW stated that in addition to the need to deploy solar energy of all sizes, energy storage will increasingly become the key to supporting the national grid and stabilizing intermittent solar and wind energy assets. BSW calls for an 8-fold expansion of energy storage capacity to 55GWh by 2030.

Looking ahead to 2023, BSW expects the roof boom to continue. BSW Chairman Carsten K ö rnig said, "Orders are full." It is expected that solar energy and energy storage will achieve double digit growth again in 2023.