In July 2024, Germany produced more solar power than it has ever done before in a single month, according to new figures from the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs. 

Germany hits new solar power high

Germany hit a record high for energy produced by sunlight in July 2024. “Around 10 terawatt hours of solar power were produced, more than ever before in a single month, even though solar radiation was lower than last year," said Economics Minister Robert Habeck to the Funke Media Group. "This means that our measures are working and there is more and more solar power. The expansion is in full swing."

Altogether, a total of 23,6 terawatt hours of electricity were generated from renewable sources in July 2024. That means that solar power contributed just less than half of the total, despite the weather being less than ideal. In 2023, around 57,1 percent of all energy produced in Germany came from renewable sources like solar and wind.

Germany investing heavily in renewable energy

In a bid to ease reliance on fossil fuels and lessen the burden of utility bills that were thrown into disarray following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany has been investing heavily in renewable energy infrastructure over the past few years. 

According to figures from the Economics Ministry, expansion doubled last year compared to the year before, installing infrastructure capable of creating almost 14 gigawatts of power. The ministry has already beaten its target of installing solar power systems with a capacity of 88 gigawatts this year. As of July 2024, capacity had already risen to 90 gigawatts. By 2030, this is expected to rise to 215 gigawatts.