Germany has achieved a remarkable milestone in its energy transition, with solar farms producing over 60% of the country's electricity for several hours each day over the past week. This surge in solar output, driven by bright sunshine and increased solar generation capacity, represents a significant step away from fossil fuels. Data from LSEG revealed that during the week ending May 13, Germany's solar farms generated 17,531 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, marking a 40% increase from the previous week and nearly 50% more than the long-term average for that period.

At the peak of this solar surge on May 13, solar energy accounted for 43.8 gigawatts (GW) of the 72.4 GW of electricity generated in Germany at 1 p.m., outpacing all other sources, including wind farms and fossil fuel plants. This shift towards clean energy is a significant recovery from the challenges posed by Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which had severely impacted Germany's power sector. The increased solar production has helped stabilize power prices, easing cost pressures on Germany's manufacturing industry and contributing to a gradual recovery in industrial output.

The environmental benefits of this transition are also notable. The carbon intensity of Germany's power sector during the peak solar hour on May 13 was 166 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour (KWh), significantly lower than the average for 2023. As solar output continues to rise, particularly during the peak generation months of June and July, Germany is poised to further reduce its carbon footprint. The record solar generation in April 2024 suggests that this trend will continue, potentially setting new records for both solar output and the share of total electricity generation during the summer months.

Source: reuters.com