Solar Power in Germany Hits New Record Level

Jun 14, 2012

Solar power reached a record high in May when it produced about 10 percent of Germany's overall electricity, according to recently released industry figures.

Canola Blossoms in front of Solar Plant (c) dpa/Juergen Loesel Enlarge image (© dpa/Juergen Loesel)

The BDEW utility group on June 9 announced that this "was up 40 percent on the year because of favorable weather conditions and a continuing boom in new solar panel installations," The Associated Press reported.

After the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011, Germany decided to phase out nuclear power by 2022. The German Government has set a goal of generating 30 percent of electricity by then via renewables, with an even more ambitious target of 80 percent by 2050.

The Associated Press report also underscored that renewables were on the rise across the board in Germany:

  • "All renewable energy sources - including wind power and biomass plants - last year accounted for about 20 percent of the country's electricity, but that share appears to be rising as subsidies and investment incentives fuel a boom in new installations."
Photovoltaic cells in a solar park, © BMU / Bernd Müller

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© Germany.info

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Solar Plant (c) dpa/Juergen Loesel

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Mädchen in einem Rapsfeld vor Windmühlen

Climate protection, promotion of renewable energy sources and protection of the environment are major focal points of German Government policy. These policies have also become a driving force for German businesses, which are already at the forefront of innovation and job creation in the field.

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