Solar Development in Germany Surges to Record, New Energy Says
BLOOMBERG - Power companies will build a record amount of solar-energy capacity in Germany this year, or two- thirds more than they added in 2008, seeking to take advantage of subsidies, New Energy Finance said.
About 2.5 gigawatts of production potential may be switched on this year compared with a record 1.5 gigawatts last year, said Martin Simonek, solar analyst in London at New Energy, which provides research and data on energy and carbon markets. He was citing government data.
This “conservative estimate” for 2009 installations would take the nation’s total to 7.8 gigawatts, Simonek said. That’s the equivalent of about four coal-fired stations.
“There is a huge rush” to connect projects, because consumer subsidies may fall by about 10 percent for generators that fail to meet a Dec. 31 deadline to begin operations, Simonek said Nov. 6 by phone.
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