Citizens own one third of German renewables capacity

In 2016, private citizens owned 31.5 percent of installed renewable power capacity in Germany, making them the most important investors in the sector ahead of energy companies (15.7 percent), developers (14.4 percent), farmers (10.5 percent), and funds/banks (13.4 percent), writes the Renewable Energies Agency (AEE), citing a study conducted by trend research. ‘Private citizens’ refers to individuals who for instance install their own solar PV rooftop panels, as well as energy cooperatives. While the diversity of ownership must be welcomed, the acceptance of and commitment to renewables expansion depend on the possibilities for citizens to take part and invest, said AEE Managing Director Philipp Vohrer. At 39 percent, private citizen ownership is highest in wind power plants. trend research relied on a mixture of database analysis, literature, magazine and internet research, and market surveys.

Find a short presentation and the study for sale in German here, and the AEE press release in German here.

For background, read the CLEW dossier The People's Energiewende.