German photovoltaics manufacturers increased their production by approximately 65 percent over the last year. Their turnover grew from six to ten billion euros, with half of this amount coming from business abroad. 150,000 new solar power systems were installed in Germany, with a peak capacity of 1.5 gigawatts. While the crisis did affect some larger projects in 2009, the domestic market remained unaffected, as homeowners and farmers continued keen to invest, thanks to a 20% price drop.
The index also notices that most foreign solar markets are growing. BSW-Solar is expecting a sales growth of 20-30 percent in Italy, and at least 40 percent in the USA. In France and China, the local solar associations are predicting that the market for photovoltaics will at least double in the course of a year. It is only in Spain that the market is likely to shrink significantly, as a result of a reduction in local support programs.
“Due to the market decline in Spain and the financial crisis, international business remained below expectations in the last few months and darkened many a company report. Despite the economic slowdown, we are nevertheless expecting growing demand in Germany in 2009. There are currently many new sales markets developing worldwide. By 2010 at the latest, our sector will therefore return to its worldwide growth path. In particular, we are expecting an all-out solar boom in the USA and China. The expansion of solar energy continues and Germany’s solar industry will benefit from this”, says Carsten Körnig, BSW-Solar’s managing director.
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Kudos for Germany being one of the leading Green places in the planet.
I really hope that more and more states take up this kind of stand when it comes to the welfare of the planet.