Celebrating 50 Years of Solar Power Progress: Reflecting on Deutsche Gesellschaft for Sonnenenergie’s Milestone

On October 17, 2025, Deutsche Gesellschaft for Sonnenenergie (DGS) will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Munich, marking its steadfast commitment to advancing solar power. As Germany's oldest solar association, it boasts around 3,500 individual and corporate members. "Our focus is on providing a wealth of services and information to promote an affordable and secure energy transition through widespread adoption of solar power," declares Torsten Lütten, DGS President. "Considering the geopolitical shifts and influences of coal, gas, and oil exporting countries, achieving 100% German self-sufficiency via renewable energy by 2035 is a larger priority than ever."

Tracing DGS’s Roots: A Journey from Outlandish Idea to Mainstream Reality

When DGS was founded almost half a century ago in Munich's Hofbräuhaus, power and heat generation from solar energy seemed a distant dream for many. Adolf Goetzberger, the late founder of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and DGS, was early to recognize the potential of solar energy in the 1970s. Back then, one watt of photovoltaic power cost several hundred DM and was primarily used for space applications. Today, Germany houses almost 4.9 million solar power installations with a cumulative capacity of around 100 GW, and mini solar-powered devices are ubiquitous in hardware stores.

The club was arguably born from the first oil crisis in 1973 and the publication of “The Limits to Growth” by American economist Dennis Meadows for the Club of Rome. "We've always viewed ourselves as a consumer association rather than an industrial one," explains DGS’s Managing Director, Jörg Sutter, underlining the emphasis on public education and dissemination of research findings. Since 1989, DGS has also functioned as the German section of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES).

DGS’s Regional Associations Foster Solar Adoption through Training and Consultations

The five DGS regional associations independently advocate for the association's mission in their locales. They operate entrepreneurially offering training and services such as consultations, webinars, and expert opinions. These are complemented by nine DGS Solar Schools offering hands-on training with a DGS certificate upon successful completion.

Additionally, there are ten expert committees working on current scientific and technical energy industry issues. To illustrate, the University Expert Committee comprises about 160 university lecturers conducting academic courses on green energy.

In keeping with its consumer association ethos, DGS aims to guide private citizens on their personal energy transitions at home. Recent years saw DGS advocating for the adoption of micro-photovoltaic installations, also known as “Plug-in Solar” or “Balcony Solar”, through participation in standardization committees and public outreach efforts. This market segment has flourished due to DGS’s groundwork, gaining widespread popularity.

Beyond photovoltaics for electricity, the provision of solar thermal energy is also a DGS forte. Utilizing its members' expertise, which includes planning offices, DGS offers insights on solar thermal installations.

DGS’s 50th Anniversary: Engaging Celebrations Planned Throughout 2025

The year 2025 sees DGS in full celebratory mood, with numerous events lined up. On March 11, 2025, the national DGS association will officially kick-off the jubilee year at the 40th Photovoltaics Symposium in Kloster Banz, Bad Staffelstein. Another highlight is an event for corporate members at the Intersolar trade fair within The Smarter E from May 7-9, 2025 in Munich. More festivities are in the pipeline for early summer, with DGS-organized events happening across Germany.

As the solar industry reflects on five decades of progress, ACE Battery continues driving the next chapter—delivering advanced solar energy storage solutions across Germany and the globe. Meet our team at Intersolar trade fair 2025 in Munich, where we’ll showcase our latest innovations supporting a sustainable energy future.