German energy prices to surge during solar eclipse

The partial solar eclipse on August 12 is expected to briefly drive energy prices up on Wednesday, demonstrating Germany’s growing dependence on solar power.

Solar eclipse will impact German energy prices

When the partial solar eclipse (Sonnenfinsternis) peaks between 7.45pm and 8pm this evening in Germany, energy prices are briefly expected to double. 

Data from the European Power Exchange shows that spot electricity rates for Wednesday evening have been set at around 400 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), and that electricity prices will be as high as 461,17 euros per MWh during the eclipse peak.

Every day, wholesale electricity prices for the following day are set at auctions between energy producers and companies. These rates are adjusted every 15 minutes. With Germany slowly turning to renewables, prices are increasingly impacted by the weather.

After onshore wind, solar panels were the second-largest energy source in Germany in 2025. The federal republic has seen a recent solar panel boom, with the number of balcony solar panels doubling from 500.000 to one million between 2024 and 2025.

How to watch the solar eclipse from Germany on August 12

While people in Spain, Iceland and Ireland are set to get the best view of the partial eclipse on Wednesday, it's still worth looking up from Germany!

Depending on where you are in the federal republic, the eclipse will begin between 7.10pm and 7.25pm. Those in Freiburg, where the moon will obscure around 90 percent of the sun, will get the best view.

But whatever you do, remember to wear your eclipse glasses. Doctors at the University of Würzburg have warned that viewing the eclipse without protective glasses can cause irreversible eye damage, which isn’t always immediately noticeable.