According to the solar power organisation BSW, the first four months of 2024 saw a 35% year-over-year increase in Germany's solar power installations, driven by an increase in demand for ground-mounted, commercial, and industrial photovoltaics. As part of its plan to meet 80% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030 and become climate neutral by 2045, Berlin has introduced several pieces of legislation to accelerate the expansion of solar power. These measures were prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the abrupt decline in Russian fossil fuel exports to Germany. Over five gigawatts (GW) of new solar power capacity were added in the first three months of this year, according to BSW, which cited interest in solar power systems from 56% of enterprises and 60% of real estate owners in the largest economy in Europe. According to BSW, installations and solar storage capacity are expected to expand by double-digit percentage points in 2024, reaching government plans of adding 19 GW of new capacity annually to reach 215 GW by 2030, or 25% of the nation's domestic energy consumption. Compared to the same period last year, newly installed photovoltaic capacity on business rooftops increased by 81% in the first four months of this year, while solar installations on open areas increased by 74%. The number of new installations in the residential sector increased by 1%. "Commercial rooftops and underperforming open spaces are now being electrified with solar technology following a significant solar boom in Germany's residential areas," BSW head Carsten Kornig said in a statement.