Germany, China, and US Could Install Record Amount of Solar in 2012

March 13th, 2012 by Joshua S Hill

A number of reports recently released have given a sneak peak into the amount of solar photovoltaic panels that could be installed throughout 2012, and if everything goes according to plan, we could see a record year for solar installations in several of the top solar power countries.

In Germany, according to the country’s trade chamber, the DIHK, Germany is set to install a record 8 gigawatts of solar throughout the rest of 2012, up from the 7.5 gigawatts installed last year. However, Germany is also planning to cut its solar feed-in tariffs and some analysts are urging a wait-and-see approach as a result.

(Source: DIHK)

According to Green Tech Media, in an interview with Dr. Peng Fang, the CEO of vertically integrated solar giant JA Solar Holdings, China is set to install anywhere from 4 gigawatts to 8 gigawatts of photovoltaic panels in China throughout 2011, up from the 2 gigawatts it installed in 2011.

According to Fang, China currently generates 900 gigawatts of power, and the country is expected to require 1,600 gigawatts by 2020. So, while the growth in solar is promising compared to other countries, it is less exciting when compared to China’s projected total power growth.

(Source: Green Tech Media)

2011 was not a brilliant year for the US in terms of solar installations, finishing the year at 1.8 gigawatts of PV installed, according to GTM Research Managing Director Shayle Kann, who has previewed 2012 forecasts set to be released later this week, suggesting that they expect the U.S. solar industry to approach 3 gigawatts of installations in 2012.

(Source: GTM Research)

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Tags: 2011 solar, 2012 solar, 2016 solar, 2016 solar chart, China, china solar energy, Germany, germany solar energy, solar installations, solar power projections, US, US Solar Energy

About the Author

Joshua S Hill I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

http://k.lenz.name/LB Karl-Friedrich Lenz

That German DIHK estimate is backed up with nothing in the way of facts and only intended to mobilize support for even more cuts to the feed-in tariff. I would advise against taking it seriously.
- http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan
  
  Hmm, thanks…
  
  Do you know of some potentially reliable projections for 2012?
  - http://k.lenz.name/LB Karl-Friedrich Lenz
    
    Sorry, no. I think it is too early for that.
    
    However, I have seen model calculations (by Focus, a large German magazine) that the return of investment for rooftop will still be 3.9 percent (down from close to 12 percent for a system installed today).
    
    That’s not bad. German government bonds pay only about 2.5 percent.
    
    For large-scale systems I rather doubt that there will be much done at 13.5 cents euro per kWh.
    
    If there is a strong reduction in the German market, good for the U.S. and other international markets. Solar panels not sold in Germany will bring down prices even faster, since that is the basic consequence of reduced demand.
    - http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan
      
      “If there is a strong reduction in the German market, good for the U.S. and other international markets. Solar panels not sold in Germany will bring down prices even faster, since that is the basic consequence of reduced demand.”
      
      – interesting and good point.