Germany Identifies 250,000 Sites for Solar Panels

A recent study by Germany's Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) reveals that approximately 250,000 areas alongside the country's highways could host solar installations, with the potential to generate between 24 GW to 50 GW of solar power. This initiative aims to enhance energy generation from renewable sources, particularly in support of electromobility, as emphasized by BASt head Markus Oeser. The Federal Autobahn GmbH will create a registry to identify suitable sites for solar deployment and explore partnerships with local authorities and investors for implementation. Additionally, the German government has established a legal framework to facilitate the installation of solar panels along highways, aiming for a total solar capacity of 215 GW by 2030. State Secretary Susanne Henckel underscored the importance of integrating solar generation into future motorway planning and expansion projects. Currently, Germany's installed solar capacity stands at about 96 GW, reflecting the growing trend of utilizing underused spaces for solar energy.