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

July 5th, 2012 by Thomas Gerke

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.)

Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: Germany, Germany Clean Energy, Germany Renewable Energy, germany solar energy, germany solar growth, germany solar growth video, PV solar, pv solar systems, quickies, solar energy germany, solar growth, solar growth video, videos

About the Author

Thomas Gerke is a close observer of the scientific, political and economic energy debate in Germany and around the globe. Inspired by the life's work of the renewable energy advocate Hermann Scheer, Thomas focuses on spreading information that showcase the possibilities & opportunities of a 100% renewable energy system. Though technology is key for this energy shift, he also looks at the socio-economic benefits and the political, as well as structural barriers.

Pingback: Germany sets a new solar power record - reneweconomy.com.au : Renew Economy
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”
  
  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
        
        yeah, you should see me in such situations — Marika (my partner) has to hold me done
  - 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!