Germany’s total installed grid-connected photovoltaic systems installed on roofs and properties stood at nearly 4.8 million units, with a total capacity of about 106.2 GW at the end of 2025. Compared with the end of 2024, the number of rooftop systems rose by 17.6%, and installed capacity increased by 11.8%, marking a new record, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

The figures highlight a stark contrast between deployment growth and a decline in domestic manufacturing.

While solar adoption kept rising among businesses and households, solar system imports in 2025 fell 7.8% year-over-year (YoY), exports dropped 30.1%, and German solar module manufacturing in the first three quarters of 2025 plunged 60.6% versus the same period a year earlier.

Imports of solar systems declined in 2025, with the value of imported solar cells and modules falling 7.8% YoY to €1.8 billion (~$2.05 billion). Exports dropped even more sharply during the same period, decreasing from €513 million (~$585.68 million) in 2024 to €358 million (~$408.73 million).

China Dominant Supplier

From Germany’s perspective, China remained the dominant source of solar systems, accounting for 88% of total imports in 2025. The Netherlands ranked a distant second, supplying 5.2% of imported solar systems.

Overall, the value of solar system imports was nearly five times higher than Germany’s exports of these products in 2025. Most exports were shipped to European markets, with Italy (15.9%), Austria (14.8%), and Switzerland (7.2%) emerging as the leading destinations.

Solar Module Drops

The production of solar modules dropped by 60.6% YoY during the first three quarters of 2025 to 509,200 units. This is the continuation of a trend that saw module production decline to 1.5 million units in 2024, a 55.2% drop from the previous year.

Solar: A Source of Household Income

Solar power was a source of income for 4.9% of private households in 2023. The number increased 2.9% from 1.2 million in 2018. The revenue from electricity sales by these private households averaged €153 (~$174.67) per month in 2023, down 37% from €243 (~$277.43) per month in 2018.

Germany added 16.4 GW of solar capacity in 2025, up 1.2% YoY and setting a new record, according to data from the Federal Network Agency. The country added 16.2 GW of solar capacity in 2024. Recent solar additions increased Germany’s cumulative solar capacity to 117 GW.