3 GW Of PV Installed In Germany In First Half Of 2010
Solar Industry
Photovoltaic system installations in Germany in the first half of thisyear are estimated at 3 GW, reaffirming Germany’s leadership position in the solar market, according to Germany Trade and Invest, a foreign trade and inward investment agency of the Federal Republic of Germany.
In 2009, Germany accounted for approximately one of every two newlyinstalled modules worldwide, with total installations totaling 3.8 GWfor the year.
Amendments to the PV feed-in tariffs (FITs) inGermany’s Renewable Energies Act (EEG) were passed in early July and afurther adjustment to the FITs will take effect Oct. 1. The changes mark a further shift toward the rooftop segment by abandoning fieldinstallations on cropland and increasing the attractiveness of theself-consumption bonus for small- and medium-scale rooftopinstallations.
The FIT rates were reduced by 13% for rooftopinstallations and eliminated for cropland field installations beginningJuly 1. At the same time, conversion areas saw a reduction of 8%, andall other areas were decreased by 12%. Beginning Oct. 1, these rateswill be reduced by a further 3%. Still, the new tariffs remain highlyattractive, with rates ranging from 25.02 eurocents/kWh to 34.05eurocents/kWh for installations connected before Oct. 1 and 24.26eurocents/kWh to 33.03 eurocents/kWh for those connected during theremainder of the year.
The changes to the EEG are a reaction tothe increased price competitiveness of photovoltaic systems, includingthe recent price drop for solar panels and components. By 2013, energyfrom PV sources is expected to be competitive with conventional energysources in the electricity market for private consumers.
SOURCE: Germany Trade and Invest
