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Maguire: Solar is Germany's leading electricity source for April

Solar farms will dominate the power sector in Germany for the longest period of time ever after becoming the largest source of generation in the country.

According to LSEG data, solar farms produced more electricity than any other source in April. This was a full month earlier than in 2024, when solar farms were the primary power source in the country from May to August.

Solar farms would power Europe's biggest economy for five months straight if they remain the largest source of energy through August. Fossil fuels would only play a secondary role.

Germany's total electricity needs are expected to fall in summer, as the heating demand drops. The share of clean energy in the mix could reach record levels - accelerating the energy transition in this influential country.

SOLAR'S SWELL

The approximately 11,920 gigawatt-hours (GWh) generated by Germany's utility scale solar farms in April 2023 was 31% more than the power generated during that same month in 2024 and nearly 60% higher than in April 2024.

LSEG data show that the total generation of solar farms in Germany also exceeded 10,600 GWh by Germany's coal-fired plants and 9,634 GWh by wind farms. This helped to cement solar as a major power source for spring and summer.

According to Ember, the energy think-tank, the key to solar expansion is a 90% increase in solar generation capacity from 2019. By 2024 there will be 90 gigawatts in utility-scale solar power in place across the country.

Solar power capacity has increased by 43 GW since 2019. This is a far greater increase than other energy sources.

The German solar capacity is expected to increase by 20 % just in the next few years, after 15 GW were added last year.

This larger footprint helped boost solar's share in the mix of generation to new heights. The 32% share recorded in April was up from the 23% in the same month 2024.

Solar's share in the mix of generation will continue to break records in the months ahead. The record of 35%, set in July last year, is a realistic target for next month.

COAL BATTERY BUFFER AND COAL BUFFER

Solar farms can only produce power in daylight hours, so power companies must have other sources of generation ready to meet system demands.

In 2025, coal power plants are the main alternative for renewable energy in the country. The coal-fired electricity generation has risen by 44% in the first four month of 2025 compared to the same period in the year 2024.

The gas-fired generation of power also increased sharply from January to the end of April, by 26% compared to the previous year. This was to compensate for a severe shortfall in German wind farm output which fell by 31% between January and April 2024.

The coal- and gas-fired power plants in Germany will continue to play a major role during the summer months, particularly in the evenings when solar production drops.

Even if solar production ceases, the rapid expansion of utility-scale batteries will likely cap fossil fuel production this summer.

According to SolarPower Europe a regional renewable energies association, Germany's utilities have added just under 6 GWh in battery storage systems each of the last two years.

The largest battery base in Europe will allow utilities store excess solar power generated during the day and discharge it during peak evening consumption.

Batteries will also help to reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed, allowing Germany to make the most of its solar resources.

These are the opinions of the columnist, an author for.

(source: Reuters)