Solar energy expands its role in Germany’s power mix

Solar overtakes lignite and gas

The rise means solar energy surpassed lignite, which contributed about 14 percent, and natural gas, at roughly 16 percent, as key sources of electricity generation, the association said.

Data backed by Fraunhofer Institute

The figures are based on data compiled by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, a leading authority on renewable energy research.

Wind power still leads

Despite solar’s strong growth, wind energy remained Germany’s largest electricity source in 2025, supplying around 27 percent of total power generation.

Record output from millions of systems

Preliminary annual data show that more than 5.5 million installed photovoltaic systems produced approximately 87 terawatt hours of electricity last year. This represented an increase of about 15 terawatt hours compared with 2024 and marked a new record high for solar power generation in Germany.