Friday, February 5, 2010

International News – Germany


Stimulating Sustainability – Trends in Government Policy



Germany previously was known for its automobile industry. Now it is solar. Not bad for a country with more clouds than sun.

The country achieved its title as the world leader in solar industry largely through its ambitious feed-in tariffs. When the new government took over last fall, however, there were concerns that feed-in tariffs would be slashed by 30 percent. That did not happen. Tariffs already were set to drop between 9 and 11 percent this year, so the new government’s reduction of 15 percent is not hard to swallow.

The results of Germany’s gross feed-in tariffs are many: jobs, a strong solar industry and an increase in energy generated by the sun.

Source: Fischer, L. Anne. “Stimulating Sustainability – Trends in Government Policy.” Photonics Spectra. 2010: 45.

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