German ISES Section celebrates 50 year aniversary
50 Years of Solar Power – and Still Going Strong: ISES Section DGS Celebrates Its Anniversary and Calls for a Final Push Toward 100% Renewables
Berlin, October 23, 2025
The German Solar Energy Society (DGS), the German section of ISES, celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 17, 2025, in Berlin. Around 100 invited guests from politics, academia, civil society, and the renewable energy sector gathered to honor five decades of dedication to solar energy – and to reaffirm the urgent call to accelerate the energy transition.
In his opening address, DGS President Frank Späte reflected on the beginnings of the solar movement in the 1970s:
“At that time, people screwed black metal sheets onto roofs to heat water. Photovoltaics were known only from telecommunication masts or space travel.”
Today, solar energy has become a cornerstone of the energy system, he said, but the challenges remain considerable. “Crises come and go, but the climate catastrophe stays. The DGS will continue to fight persistently for the goal of 100 percent renewable energy.”
Pioneering Spirit and Enduring Commitment
Among the guests of honor were Hans-Josef Fell, former member of the German Bundestag and co-author of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), and Susanne Jung, Managing Director of the Solar Energy Support Association of Germany (SFV). Both emphasized the DGS’s pioneering role and its long-standing commitment to the advancement of solar energy in Germany.
Fell recalled how the 1973 oil crisis and the Club of Rome’s report “The Limits to Growth” inspired his engagement: “That’s when I realized that wars are fought over oil. Renewable energies are energies of peace.”
Ursula Heinen-Esser, President of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), sent a video message highlighting the DGS’s historical significance: “If the EEG is the mother of the energy transition, then the DGS is the grandmother.” She recognized the DGS’s technical expertise and continuity: “You have stayed the course through decades of change. Your knowledge and perseverance remain essential for achieving the energy transition.”
ISES Award for Robert Habeck
A central highlight of the evening was a video message from Robert Habeck, former German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, who expressed his gratitude upon receiving the ISES Global Leadership Award in Advancing Solar Energy Policy. The DGS had nominated him for this distinguished international honor.
Prof. Klaus Vajen, ISES President until 2024 and ISES representative at the event, commended Habeck’s contribution to solar policy and highlighted the importance of the “Easter Package” of 2022, which significantly accelerated the expansion of solar energy in Germany—from 5.7 gigawatts in 2021 to 17.5 gigawatts in 2024.
Scientific Impulse from Graz: “You Are the Change Agents”
Prof. Ilona Otto from the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change at the University of Graz provided a scientific perspective on social transformation. Her research on social tipping points in climate action shows that even small committed groups can drive systemic change.
“It takes only 20 to 25 percent of convinced people to move society forward. You are the change agents,” she said. In her remarks, Susanne Jung also stressed the urgency of cooperation within the renewable energy community: “Germany has no greenhouse gas budget left beyond 2025. We can no longer afford additional emissions—the clock is ticking.”
Looking Ahead – and an Evening of Exchange
Following the formal program, guests gathered in Berlin’s Heckmann Höfe to celebrate with discussions, music, and reflections on five decades of solar innovation. The event concluded a jubilee year that began in March with the annual Photovoltaic Symposium.
In closing, Frank Späte emphasized the DGS’s continued commitment: “The energy transition is far from complete, but the foundation has been laid. Our goal remains: 100 percent renewable energy for heat, electricity, and mobility.”
The DGS will continue to contribute its expertise through education, training, and public outreach—and invites all interested individuals to engage through its regional chapters and specialist sections.
ISES sends our heartfelt congratulations to the entire DGS team and of course the members of the society - we are looking forward to the next 50 years together!
Photos: Frederik Ferschke/Jörg Sutter/DGS e.V.
Impressions from the event
