Photovoltaic expansion in Baden-Württemberg in 2023 at a record level

New photovoltaic systems with a total of 1,857 megawatts (MW) were built in Baden-Württemberg in 2023. The state is in third place nationwide, behind North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. The expansion is more than one gigawatt higher than the previous year (817 MW) and, at 800 MW, higher than the previous record year of 2010 (1,019 MW). 1,556 MW are attributable to roof systems and 301 MW to ground-mounted photovoltaics. The numbers may increase slightly due to late registrations. According to the Federal Solar Industry Association, 14 GW of photovoltaic output will be added across Germany in 2023.

For the first time, the expansion - for both roof systems and ground-mounted systems - is above the expansion scenario of 1,150 MW per year between 2022 and 2025 required by the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW). The ZSW has this in the study "Sector goals 2030 and climate-neutral Baden-Württemberg 2040".

"We are on the right track when it comes to photovoltaics. In order to achieve our climate protection goals and keep electricity prices cheap in the long term, we must further expand photovoltaics," says Energy Minister Thekla Walker. "The expansion is also fundamental for Baden-Württemberg as a business location, because renewable energy production is increasingly becoming a location factor for companies." That's why it's important to stick with it now: The good expansion figures are mainly due to the growth in roof systems. There needs to be further improvement in open-space photovoltaics. According to ZSW calculations, their expansion would have to increase from the current 230 MW per year to 880 MW per year from 2026. "It is all the more important that the federal government now approves the entire Solar Package I as quickly as possible," emphasizes Walker. This is intended to reduce bureaucracy in the construction and operation of photovoltaic systems and accelerate expansion. "In addition, regions and municipalities must continue to secure land so that open-space photovoltaics can increase."