Solar association reports 2026 solar expansion target met, warns of growth slowdown

Körnig pointed out that the strong additions of recent months were attributable, among other things, to pull-forward effects – that is, to investments brought forward because of announced changes in funding conditions. With these effects expiring, momentum could wane if policymakers do not act in time.

The association's central demand is a reliable regulatory framework for photovoltaic and battery storage. Without clear and stable long-term conditions, investors could pull back, Körnig warned. Specifically, he cited, among other things, the swift processing of grid connections and predictable funding mechanisms as decisive levers.

Call for a reliable framework

The federal government had positioned solar energy in recent years as a central building block of the energy transition. In the federal cabinet and the Bundestag, adjustments to energy and climate law are currently being discussed that are intended to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies. The BSW sees the decisions made so far as a step in the right direction, but is calling for further measures.

Industry observers interpret the association's announcement as confirmation that the solar boom in Germany remains intact despite intermittent discussions about subsidy cuts and supply bottlenecks. At the same time, they point to the great importance of storage technologies in order to make usable the fluctuating power generation from photovoltaics. Körnig sees photovoltaics and battery storage as mutually reinforcing pillars of the energy transition.

Risk of waning momentum

Looking at the achievement of the 2026 annual target, Körnig expressed satisfaction but also spoke of a "probationary honors grade." What is decisive is that the Bundestag and the federal cabinet set the course so that expansion in the years 2027 to 2030 does not merely fail to decline, but continues to grow. Otherwise, there would be a risk that self-imposed climate targets in the power sector would be missed.

From the association's perspective, barriers regarding land availability, approval procedures, and grid capacities must be consistently removed. The financing of large-scale projects must also remain secured so that investment decisions continue to be made in Germany. Körnig expressed confidence that this could succeed if politics and industry pulled in the same direction.

Economic significance and outlook

The association underscored the economic significance of the industry with regard to thousands of people employed in the planning, installation, and maintenance of solar systems. A slump in additions would therefore have a direct impact on jobs and on value creation in the country. The BSW announced that it would continue to provide regular updates on the status of solar expansion.

For the coming months, the association expects a political debate over the continuation of expansion targets and the role of storage and domestic production. Körnig advocated viewing solar energy as a locational advantage and investing specifically in research, production, and integration.