CCRES promotes
German solar energy 2012
Germany’s solar energy output defied government subsidy cuts to rise by a record 60% last year, according to the German Solar Industry Association BSW-Solar.
“Solar power has become an
indispensable ingredient for the success of the energy transformation,”
said Carsten Körnig, BSW-Solar’s chief executive.
The clean energy technology generated more than 18 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2011, BSW-Solar figures showed, enough to power the state of Thuringia – or 5.1 million households for a whole year.
The renewables surge comes despite a 13% cut in Germany’s solar subsidies last year, which will be augmented by a further 24% reduction in 2012, implemented in two phases.
Yet because of sharp oil and gas price increases, coupled with price falls in solar technology, Körnig predicted that by 2014, solar power would not need any more government support than ocean-based wind-farms.
“What the solar industry now needs are reliable political conditions,” he said. “This is indispensable for the continued expansion of renewable energy sources and for maintaining an attractive climate of investment in Germany.”
BSW-Solar has called on the government not to tinker with the German government’s proposals for a phase-down of subsidies.
Since 2007, solar panel prices in Germany have already fallen by close to 50%.
Solar power currently contributes some 3% of Germany’s electricity supply, but this is forecast to grow to around 10% by 2020.
The clean energy technology generated more than 18 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in 2011, BSW-Solar figures showed, enough to power the state of Thuringia – or 5.1 million households for a whole year.
The renewables surge comes despite a 13% cut in Germany’s solar subsidies last year, which will be augmented by a further 24% reduction in 2012, implemented in two phases.
Yet because of sharp oil and gas price increases, coupled with price falls in solar technology, Körnig predicted that by 2014, solar power would not need any more government support than ocean-based wind-farms.
“What the solar industry now needs are reliable political conditions,” he said. “This is indispensable for the continued expansion of renewable energy sources and for maintaining an attractive climate of investment in Germany.”
BSW-Solar has called on the government not to tinker with the German government’s proposals for a phase-down of subsidies.
Since 2007, solar panel prices in Germany have already fallen by close to 50%.
Solar power currently contributes some 3% of Germany’s electricity supply, but this is forecast to grow to around 10% by 2020.
More Solar Power than ever before
Record level of production: In 2011, German solar power
systems generated enough electricity to cover the power consumption of
Thuringia / Support for solar power is reduced by 15 percent as of 1
January 2012, reaching the level of household electricity prices /
Increased growth in the solar heating market
The year comes to an end with record levels in the
production of solar power. In 2011, solar power systems in Germany
produced over 18 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, according to
figures provided by the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) at
the close of the year. That amounts to 60 percent more than in the
previous year and is approximately equal to the electricity consumption
of the state of Thuringia; this volume could theoretically supply 5.1
million households with electricity for an entire year. Solar heating
usage also saw a marked increase in 2011, according to the Association's
figures. “Solar power has become an indispensable ingredient for the
success of the energy transformation,” explained Carsten Körnig, Chief
Executive Officer of the German Solar Industry Association. One key
reason for the high demand is the sharp increase in prices for oil and
gas; another is found in the significantly lower costs for solar
technology. Since 2007 alone, prices for turnkey solar power systems
have fallen by more than half. This has allowed the support for solar
power systems to be reduced by the same extent. In 2012, after another
reduction in the level of remuneration for solar power at the turn of
the year, the level of support will have already reached the price level
for household electricity.
This is considered to be a significant milestone on
the path to the full competitiveness of solar power with other energy
sources. According to Körnig, “The solar industry is making good on its
promise to radically reduce costs. As a next step, in 2013/2014 we will
be able to match the support level of large ocean-based windfarms in
initial market segments. This is the result of major efforts on the part
of industry and research, combined with the effects of tough
competition in international markets.”
Recent advances in cost reduction also mean that the
further expansion of solar power in Germany will have a negligible
impact in terms of cost. At the beginning of 2011, support for solar
power was able to be reduced by 13 percent. On 1 January 2012, there
will be an additional reduction for new systems by 15 percent, while
another reduction by up to nine percent will take place in the middle of
the year, as set out in the amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources
Act (EEG), which was passed in the summer of 2011.
BSW-Solar now appeals to the Federal Government,
following a period of considerable uncertainty, to allow this recently
tightened legislation to run its course. According to Körnig, “What the
solar industry now needs are reliable political conditions. This is
indispensable for the continued expansion of renewable energy sources
and for maintaining an attractive climate of investment in Germany. It's
the only way to ensure that the contract between generations contained
in the energy transformation will work. And it's the only way that
Germany can continue to be successful in the now highly competitive
growth markets.” Currently, solar power contributes roughly three
percent of the German electricity supply; by 2020, this share is
expected to expand to roughly 10 percent. Please see our illustration on
the record levels of solar power production at:
Survey shows: Mid-agers investing in solar heating
Following weak figures in 2010, 2011 saw renewed
increases not only in the production of solar power, but also in the use
of solar heating. In order to better gauge the use of solar heating,
the information portal co2online, on behalf of BSW-Solar, conducted a
survey of 1500 solar heating users. The survey showed that “mid-agers”
in particular are deciding to invest in solar heating; according to the
survey, the average age for these users of solar heating is 47. The
prospects of long-term reductions in energy costs are a central factor
in this trend. For 64 percent of those surveyed, cost savings are an
important reason for investing in solar heating. 46 percent stated that
concern about price increases for fossil fuels such as oil and gas are a
key reason. “The only reason that rated higher, at 81 percent, was
environmental protection through solar technology,” explained Jörg
Mayer, Chief Executive Officer of BSW-Solar. “Apparently, reducing costs
on the expenditure side is becoming an increasingly important argument
among the older generation.”
CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)
very informative research report..Great focus on Germany's solar power market and its growth..Germany has nearly as much installed solar power generation capacity as the rest of the world combined and gets about 4% of its annual electricity needs from sun..keep continue sharing such useful post
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