A worrying trend: 87% of imported photovoltaic systems came from China in 2022

Photovoltaic systems are being installed worldwide to transition the energy mix to renewable energy. However, the current trend is concerning: 87% of imported photovoltaic systems came from China in 2022. This represents a dependence of the global energy supply on a single country and should not go unmentioned.

This situation leaves many questions unanswered and necessitates a careful examination of the topic. Looking at the underlying causes is particularly revealing in this regard.

It is well known that the photovoltaic industry in China has experienced a boom in recent years. This is due to the numerous support programs and initiatives launched by the Chinese government, which strongly promote the construction of photovoltaic plants. This support has contributed to the rapid development of the Chinese photovoltaic market.

But there's another reason why so many photovoltaic systems come from China: there's a huge demand for cheap solar panels, and China offers a wide variety of manufacturers capable of meeting that demand. This means that many customers looking for affordable photovoltaic systems turn to Chinese manufacturers.

It is important that we are aware of the risks associated with importing photovoltaic systems from China. Without sufficient controls and adequate quality management, this can lead to serious problems. Therefore, we must focus not only on the advantages of importing photovoltaic systems from China, but also on the risks.

It is essential that we focus on more sustainable and, above all, safe photovoltaic production in the future. Only in this way can we ensure that the photovoltaic systems we import are safe and reliable.

Around 87% of photovoltaic systems imported into Germany in 2022 came from the People's Republic of China. The value of these imported systems amounted to just over €3.1 billion, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Overall, photovoltaic systems worth approximately €3.6 billion were imported into Germany last year. China, the most important supplier of solar cells, solar modules, and related components, was followed at a considerable distance by the Netherlands (€143 million, or 4%) and Taiwan (€94 million, 3%).

• A total of €3.6 billion worth of equipment was imported, and €1.4 billion worth of exports.
• Nearly 2.5 million photovoltaic systems were installed in November 2022, 14% more than in the same month of the previous year.
• New record high: Almost 12% of total electricity feed-in from January to November 2022 from photovoltaics.

Imports of photovoltaic systems in 2022 – Image: Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), 2023

The value of imports of photovoltaic systems in 2022 was thus more than twice as high as the value of exports of these goods from Germany. Exports of photovoltaic systems worth just over €1.4 billion were recorded last year. A large proportion of these went to European countries. The main customers were Austria (€206 million, 14%), the Netherlands (€164 million, 11%), and Italy (€160 million, 11%).

Production of solar modules increased by 44% from January to September 2022 compared to the same period of the previous year

In Germany, the production of solar modules for photovoltaic systems has increased significantly in recent years. Solar modules are installed in photovoltaic systems, which generate electricity from solar energy. The electricity generated can either be used directly, stored, or fed into the power grid. From January to September 2022, approximately 2.9 million solar modules were produced in Germany for sale domestically or abroad. This represents a 44% increase compared to the first three quarters of 2021 (2.0 million units) and a 75% increase compared to the same period in 2019 (just under 1.7 million units), for which data was available for the first time.

The production of solar thermal collectors, and their increase compared to previous years, was significantly lower than that of solar modules. Solar thermal collectors are a component of solar thermal systems. These systems convert solar energy into heat, both for hot water production and space heating. High-performance solar thermal systems are also used in industry, generating heat for domestic hot water, heating, and industrial processes, known as process heat. From January to September 2022, 202,000 solar thermal collectors were produced. This was roughly the same number as in the first three quarters of 2021 (200,000 units) and 25% more than in the same period of 2019 (just over 161,000 units).

In November 2022, 14% more photovoltaic systems were installed than in the same month of the previous year

More and more companies, as well as private households, are using solar energy to generate electricity: In November 2022, nearly 2.5 million photovoltaic systems with a total nominal capacity of just over 63.7 gigawatts were installed on roofs and properties. This represents a 14% increase in the number of systems compared to November 2021, while the installed capacity rose by 13% within a year. In January 2018, when the data was first collected, there were around 1.7 million systems with a nominal capacity of just under 42.3 gigawatts. Since then, the number of systems has increased by 47%, while the installed capacity has grown by 51%.

Net rated power of photovoltaic systems – Image: Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), 2023

From January to November 2022, 20% more electricity from photovoltaics was fed into the grid than in the same period of the previous year

From January to November 2022, approximately 53.4 terawatt hours of electricity generated from sunlight were fed into the grid by photovoltaic systems. This was 20% more than from January to November 2021 (44.5 terawatt hours) and 33% more than in the same period in 2018 (40.2 terawatt hours).

Electricity feed-in from photovoltaics – Image: Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), 2023

The share of photovoltaics in total electricity generation has also increased: With almost 12% of the electricity fed into the grid from January to November 2022, it reached a new record high in Germany. From January to November 2021, photovoltaics accounted for just over 9% of total electricity generation. The previous record month for solar power in Germany was June 2022, with just over 7.6 terawatt-hours and a share of 20% of total electricity generation.

Solar power was a source of income for almost 1.6 million private households in 2021

For many private households, solar power is not only an energy source but also a source of income. In 2021, almost 1.6 million, or 4% of all private households, earned income from feeding solar power into the grid. The number and share have increased in recent years: in 2015, it was around 1.2 million, or 3% of all households.

These households' income from electricity sales averaged €183 per month in 2021, slightly higher than the previous year (€174 per month). Compared to 2015, when average income was €266 per month, it has decreased by almost a third (31%). One reason for this decline is likely the reduced feed-in tariff for newly installed photovoltaic systems under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).

Source: Press release no. N 012 dated March 1, 2023

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