German Adds 313 MW Of Solar Energy In July

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Germany  added to its solar capacity in July.

According to PV Magazine, 313 MW was added in July. This year alone  2,110 MW of new solar capacity have gone up in the European country.

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Image Credit: Solar Plants and Blue Sky via Shutterstock

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Since 2009, 34.5 GW of PV energy has been installed, ranking as one of the global leaders in solar power. Its been another good year so far for the solar giants as wel. We reported in July that Germany broke a power output record with 23.9 GW, which previously stood at 22.68 GW in April.

So why does Germany continue to lead the way?

One reason is its feed-in tariffs (FIT’s). This policy has provided strong support for the German solar market. In fact John Farrell noted back in 2011 that most solar projects use feed in tariffs. Farrell goes further on to explain why they are successful, not just in Germany, but also other areas in the world:

The basic premise of the feed-in tariff is that the electric utility must connect any wind turbine or solar panel (or other generator) to the grid and buy all the electricity via a long-term contract with a public price.  It’s use in Germany and its simplicity have led to mass local ownership of renewable energy in that country.

In the U.S., the policy is spreading, having been adopted by multiple municipal utilities in Florida, Indiana, and California as well as states including Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Vermont.

Now, if only more jurisdictions in North America would adopt solar FIT’s, the world would be a much more sunnier place.


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Adam Johnston

is expected to complete the Professional Development Certificate in Renewable Energy from the University of Toronto by December 2017. Adam recently completed his Social Media Certificate from Algonquin College Continuing & Online Learning. Adam also graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a three-year B.A. combined major in Economics and Rhetoric, Writing & Communications in 2011. Adam owns a part-time tax preparation business. He also recently started up Salay Consulting and Social Media services, a part-time business which provides cleantech writing, analysis, and social media services. His eventual goal is to be a cleantech policy analyst. You can follow him on Twitter @adamjohnstonwpg or check out his business www.salayconsultiing.com.

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