Cancel

gear Push settings

bars

homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Germany cuts solar energy feed-in tariff by 50% in 8 years

Here’s how renewable energy can be proliferated easily trough out the world, the developed one at least – scale it and make it cheap for the user. At least this is what Germany did and it’s working incredibly well for them. The country just recently announced that feed-in tariffs for solar energy will be 15% cheaper […]

Tibi Puiu
November 15, 2011 @ 11:37 am

share Share

germany pv

Here’s how renewable energy can be proliferated easily trough out the world, the developed one at least – scale it and make it cheap for the user. At least this is what Germany did and it’s working incredibly well for them.

The country just recently announced that feed-in tariffs for solar energy will be 15% cheaper than those in 2011. Since 2004, when Germany took it upon itself to make solar energy it’s main driver, the feed-in tariffs on a per kilowatt-hour basis, has declined over 57%.  Basically, solar energy has become more than two times cheaper for the German energy consumer in just 8 years. And it’s only going to get cheaper.

By the end of 2011 Germany, which is slitely smaller than the state of Montana, US, is expected to install 5,000 MW of solar power. The U.S. on the other hand, has a current yearly total of only 2,000 MW, nationwide.

Germany is currently the world leader in installed photovoltaic solar panels, although the country is far from being considered the sunniest spot in Europe. Currently, producers of solar panels are desperately trying to meet demands.

The report and feed-in tariffs for Germany can be read at  Wind-works.

image via Grist.

share Share

New Catalyst Recycles Plastics Without Sorting. It Even Works on Dirty Trash

A nickel catalyst just solved the biggest problem in plastic recycling.

A New Solar Panel Shield Made From Onion Peels Outlasted Industry Plastics in Tests

Natural dye from discarded onion peels outperforms fossil-based UV filters in durability and performance

Old Solar Panels Built in the Early 1990s Are Still Going Strong After 30 Years at 80% Original Power — And That’s a Big Deal for Our Energy Future

Thirty years later, old-school solar panels are still delivering on their promise.

The World’s Largest Solar Plant is Rising in Tibet. It's So Vast It's the Size of Chicago

A desert covered in solar panels and sheep could mark the beginning of the end for coal in China.

A Swiss Pilot Flew a Solar-Electric Aircraft to the Edge of the Stratosphere

A record-breaking flight offers a glimpse into the future of clean aviation

How Tariffs Could Help Canada Wean Itself from Fossil Fuels

Tariffs imposed by the U.S. could give its trading partners space to reduce their economies’ dependence on oil and gas.

Global Farmlands Already Grow Enough Food to Feed 15 Billion People but Half of Calories Never Make It to our Plates

Nearly half of the world’s food calories go to animals and engines instead of people.

Japan Just Switched on Asia’s First Osmotic Power Plant, Which Runs 24/7 on Nothing But Fresh Water and Seawater

A renewable energy source that runs day and night, powered by salt and fresh water.

Hundreds of Americans Begged the EPA Not to Roll Back Climate Protections and Almost No One Listened

Public speaks out against EPA plan to rescind Endangerment Finding.

Birds Are Singing Nearly An Hour Longer Every Day Because Of City Lights

Light pollution is making birds sing nearly an hour longer each day