Renewable energy: PV experiences peak demand in spring ’24

More and more house and apartment owners are opting for a photovoltaic system. This can also be seen in the market master data register. The PV industry recorded a real peak in demand in the first quarter of 2024. A real boost for renewable energy?

Photovoltaics is the most popular renewable energy

If you take a look at the so-called market master data register, the hype surrounding photovoltaics becomes more than clear. A total of 202,024 new PV systems were installed in the first quarter of 2024. It is the output rather than the sheer number that is impressive. The new solar power plants achieved a total output of 3.34 gigawatts.

By comparison, more PV systems were installed in the same quarter of the previous year with 235,603 new systems. However, these only had a total output of 2.76 gigawatts. This clearly shows that the systems are becoming increasingly efficient. The register also shows that more and more people are opting for a suitable battery storage system.

Here, too, there were well over 100,000 new registrations. With the help of a suitable storage system, owners of a PV system can also use the electricity generated during the day in the sun-free evening hours. Unfortunately, the trend towards solar energy is not continuing with wind power. Just 160 new wind turbines were installed in the first quarter.

Balcony power plants are very popular

Homeowners can also use renewable energy to generate electricity. After all, balcony power plants no longer require a large roof area. According to the register, there were almost 57,000 new registrations in the first quarter. But it doesn’t matter whether it’s a large PV system on the roof or a compact balcony power plant. Unfortunately, one trend can be identified across the board.

It is primarily private individuals who want to use renewable energy. In the commercial sector, on the other hand, there is still a lull. But what is even more alarming is the low demand for publicly owned buildings. These are usually buildings that are ideally suited to the use of solar energy.

• More on the topic: The German government’s solar package makes PV systems more attractive

However, many of these buildings have flat roofs, which are actually ideally suited for the installation of efficient PV systems. With just 902 newly approved PV systems on public buildings, the public sector is lagging well behind the private sector. These are not only large PV systems. Compact balcony power plants are also included in the count.