Growth in installations of photovoltaic solar panels slows down

In Germany, installations of solar photovoltaic panels have risen from 7 GW in 2022 to 14 GW in 2023 and 16 GW in 2024. Industry professionals fear that the downturn will result in a reduction in volumes, particularly in the residential customer segment. Photovoltaic panel installations fell in 2024 in the Netherlands and Spain, and growth slowed in Italy. The slowdown in the pace of installations is mainly due to the rise in interest rates, with residential customers acquiring panels more often than not under long-term leasing contracts with a purchase option, but the fall in energy prices and less generous regulations have also played a part in the decline in sales. In Germany, the sector's dynamism had attracted a large number of companies, and the German government now fears that a significant number of installers will go bankrupt.