Installation of 500,000 German PV Solar Systems (Video)

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This is an awesome, short video of the first big, industrial-scale push towards solar energy in human history. The video used geo-referenced data to visualize the installation of 500,000 PV solar systems all over Germany between January 2009 and September 2011. Since Germany is currently the epicenter of this global solar revolution, it’s perhaps the most dramatic look at the short period in time during which the solar capacity of the world has quadrupled.

I don’t know if future history books will tell of this development. As a solar energy enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder: Will this effort by thousands of independent small and large investors one day be remembered as one of those moments in history that precluded a massive change in human history?

Only time will tell.

Enjoy the short video! (Listen to some music if you like, as it is mute.)

Thomas (33 Posts)

I am a close observer of the renewable energy revolution in my home country Germany and around the world. As a full-blooded enthusiast, I spend a lot of my spare time reading about the technological, political, social and cultural developments that drive the renewable energy revolution and their benefits to society.   I studied media & computer science at university and work as a freelance graphic / interface designer. I love visualizing complex information, data, & the relationships that connect them to our world.


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  • jburt56

    Du liegst mir im herzen!!!

  • Luke

    Wow! That’s incredible! How common is solar in Germany now though? For example, when driving along the autobahn, do you see occasional PV plants, and when driving down streets, how many houses have PV on them? 

    • ThomasGerke

      Well, it’s very common in Germany by now. 

      In total I would say 1 out of 10 buildings.  It’s more common in the south, but northern Germany is catching up. 

      When you make a longer trip by train / autobahn, you will come across several solar power plants.  Especially in the south. 

      In general rural areas, suburbs and small towns have a much higher density of solar systems than citys. Eventhough I notice that citys become increasingly “solarized” :-D

      Also a huge number of schools & kindergartens have solar systems on their roofs in Germany.  

      • http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan

        Taking the train from Poland (Wroclaw) to Berlin, I saw many, many solar systems on rooftops. Don’t recall seeing any solar farms, but a lot of wind turbines as well.

        • Scott

          While traveling to Ruegen on an ICE train I saw 2 large solar farms. I wanted to get off the train so f*****g bad!! One of these was even using trackers :-O . Germany ftw!

          • http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan

            haha :D

            yeah, you should see me in such situations — Marika (my partner) has to hold me done :D

      • Luke

         Thanks for the reply Thomas. That’s good to hear! It sounds like Germany is very close to reaching ‘mainstream’ solar, enough so that it becomes common place!