Germany to Post Record Rise in Solar Capacity
Via Reuters we find out that Germany will be reaching the record of adding up to 3 GW (gigawatt) of photovoltaic capacity right this year. This happens due to the high demand registered at the end of 2009. Carsten Koernig from Germany’s BSW solar industry association says that this surge will increase the forecast from 2 GW to 2.5 GW.
“We’re all surprised by how strongly demand is picking up now,” the BSW director told. The low prices of this sector are also very appealing to the investors and it is forecasted that many of them will invest in the sector. The director added, “To me it seems like we will get 2.5 to 3 GW for 2009. Right now we can not say much about that but it will be close to 3. We can not go over 3 because we have reached the limit.”
Germany is currently the leader in photovoltaic energy, turning sunlight into electric power. By the end of 2008, 5.3 GW were installed, and in 2008 a record of 1.6 GW was included. This is almost 1/3 of the world’s total 15 GW. This year, the three GW installed will be producing power to match three nuclear power plants or three coal burning plants. The record on GW installed belongs to Spain who had 2.5 GW last year. But now Spain is struggling with overcapacity. There are companies that are having difficulty maintaining their prices. One of them is Q-Cells and Conergy.
The falling prices
Koernig also explained that in Germany some companies are at their maximum limit and the demand continues to increase. They expect the demand to grow till 2010.
Koernig also mentions that the falling prices for PV systems are the main reason for the growth in 2009. This happened after the crisis hit the country. Koernig says that the projects they have will go forward and will also expand.” Koernig also predicts that the tariffs will drop with up to 10% in 2010. “We’re now confident the government does not want to endanger the sector and any adjustments to the law will be minor,” Koernig said.
