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

 
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)