Solar Irradiance in Germany: Regional Distribution and Data

Germany receives between 950 and 1,220 kWh/m² of global irradiance per year — enough for economically viable solar power generation across the entire country. This article maps the regional differences and explains what they mean for your PV system.

Top 20 Cities by Global Irradiance

Global irradiance by city | Sources: PVGIS, DWD

#↕	City↕	kWh/m²/year↕	Region	Est. 10 kWp Yield
1	Freiburg	1.220	South	10,700 kWh
2	Munich	1.190	South	10,900 kWh
3	Stuttgart	1.170	South	10,300 kWh
4	Regensburg	1.160	South	10,200 kWh
5	Augsburg	1.150	South	10,100 kWh
6	Nuremberg	1.140	Central	10,000 kWh
7	Karlsruhe	1.130	South	9,900 kWh
8	Ulm	1.120	South	9,800 kWh
9	Wuerzburg	1.110	Central	9,700 kWh
10	Frankfurt	1.100	Central	9,600 kWh
11	Mannheim	1.100	South	9,600 kWh
12	Konstanz	1.100	South	9,600 kWh
13	Dresden	1.080	Central	9,500 kWh
14	Leipzig	1.070	Central	9,400 kWh
15	Bonn	1.060	Central	9,300 kWh
16	Cologne	1.050	Central	9,200 kWh
17	Berlin	1.050	Central	9,950 kWh
18	Hanover	1.010	North	8,900 kWh
19	Bremen	990	North	8,700 kWh
20	Hamburg	980	North	9,350 kWh

Seasonal Distribution

About 75% of annual irradiance falls in the summer half-year (April to September), while winter (October to March) contributes only about 25%.

Jan25 kWh/m²

Feb40 kWh/m²

Mar75 kWh/m²

Apr110 kWh/m²

May145 kWh/m²

Jun155 kWh/m²

Jul150 kWh/m²

Aug130 kWh/m²

Sep90 kWh/m²

Oct55 kWh/m²

Nov25 kWh/m²

Dec20 kWh/m²

Climate Trend: Global Brightening

Over the last 30 years, global irradiance in Germany has increased by 3-5%. The main cause: reduced air pollution through lower SO₂ emissions since the 1990s. Fewer aerosols in the atmosphere mean more sunlight reaches the ground — a phenomenon known as global brightening.

What Does This Mean for Your PV System?

The regional differences are real but manageable:

• Even the lowest-irradiance German cities (Hamburg: 980 kWh/m²) deliver excellent PV economics
• The north-south gap is about 15-20% — not a deal-breaker
• Local factors (roof orientation, shading) often matter more than regional irradiance

Check the solar potential at your exact location — Solar Forecast