Policy Deep Dive Germany: What's Next for Europe's Largest Solar Market?

Monday, June 22, 2026

Time: 03:45 pm - 04:45 pm
Hall: ICM München
Room: Room 14 A

Germany is still Europe's largest solar market by far, but its government policies are under review. About a year into the new government's term, legislative changes affecting the electricity market are under discussion. These include withdrawing priority grid access for renewables and scrapping feed-in tariffs. If these changes go through, they could significantly worsen investment conditions for solar and battery storage in Germany. This session examines what is on the cards for solar in Germany and how the potential regulatory changes would impact deployment in the future.

Key topics:

Overview of key solar policy frameworks under discussion
Status of Germany's solar market across segments
Impact of new legislation on investment attractiveness
Future outlook for solar in Germany

03:45 pm - 04:05 pmIntro & Kick Off Presentation: Solar Report from Berlin - Status & Outlook for Solar in Germany

David Wedepohl

Managing Director International Affairs

BSW - German Solar Association

04:05 pm - 04:45 pmPanel Discussion: Impacts of the Government`s Plans for Solar on Market Growth

Katharina David

Co-CEO

K2 Systems GmbH

Eric Quiring

VP Pubic & Government Affairs

SMA Solar Technology AG

To Program Overview

Speakers

Speaker

Katharina David, K2 Systems GmbH

Co-CEO

Germany

Katharina David is Co-CEO of K2 Systems, one of the world's leading manufacturers of mounting systems for photovoltaic installations. Since 2009, she has been instrumental in driving the company's evolution - from a rooftop system specialist to a comprehensive solution provider with an international presence and a strong focus on digitalization, innovation, and sustainability. With over 16 years of leadership experience at K2, she stands for entrepreneurial vision, deep market understanding, and the consistent expansion of digital services for the solar industry.

Speaker

Eric Quiring, SMA Solar Technology AG

VP Pubic & Government Affairs

Deutschland

Eric Quiring (*1988) is leading the Government Relations and Public Affairs department at the SMA Solar Technology group. His activities include the coordination of all global political interests surrounding photovoltaic solutions and public funding. Eric Quiring is a member of the Corporate Advisory Board of the German Renewable Energy Federation since 2019 and is a board member of the German Solar Industry Association and the Global Solar Council. He started his career as an electrician and holds a master's degree in political science.

Speaker

David Wedepohl, BSW - German Solar Association

Managing Director International Affairs

Germany

David Wedepohl first came into contact with the solar industry while working for a US consulting firm before joining the German Solar Industry Association as Head of Market and Communications and spokesperson for the association. Today, he is responsible for all of the association's international activities outside of the EU. This now includes projects and partnerships in and with Africa, Latin America, Asia and the USA. He is a broadcast journalist trained at the international broadcaster Deutsche Welle and has studied and worked on both sides of the Atlantic. He earned his US degree as a Fulbright Scholar. He gained professional experience as a press and public diplomacy officer at the German Embassy in Washington, DC, and in the communications department of DaimlerChrysler AG. Since 2023, he has also been Managing Director of the non-profit branch of the solar and storage sector, BSW-Solar gGmbh.