Germany’s Solar Growth Slows in August as Policy Changes Loom

Germany’s solar market slowed in August, with new PV installations falling below both the previous month and the same period last year, according to data from the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).

August Additions Decline

Germany added 1.688 GW of solar capacity in August 2026, down from 1.85 GW in July and 2.04 GW in August 2025.

From January to August, the country added 11.25 GW, bringing total installed PV capacity to approximately 129.25 GW.

Ground-mounted projects accounted for 977.2 MW of August additions, followed by rooftop solar at 440.3 MW and balcony PV at 57.8 MW. All three segments recorded lower additions than in July.

Growth Target Still Within Reach

Germany needs to add around 1.65 GW of solar capacity each month to reach its target of 215 GW by 2030. August installations remained slightly above this required monthly pace.

However, the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) has raised concerns about proposed changes to the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) and grid policies. The association says shifting new renewable projects toward market-based electricity sales could increase project costs and slow future deployment.

At the same time, a study commissioned by BSW-Solar estimates that solar power reduced Germany’s electricity procurement costs by €15.7 billion in 2025, highlighting the broader economic impact of continued PV expansion.