News
Bloated German solar sector costly for power market
Like solar, wind generation varies greatly depending on weather conditions. Power prices have dropped to negative values already at times of extreme wind supply and low demand. ..."If Germany adds 5 GW of solar this year, we may end up with over 50 GW of volatile wind and solar capacity that can't be controlled according to demand."
January 7, 2011
by Vera Eckert and Henning Gloystein
in Reuters
* Subsidy causes solar installation boom in 2010/11
* Solar power capacity could grow by 7 GW this year
* Extreme power price swings possible
FRANKFURT/LONDON - A rush to pump money into subsidised German solar power has bloated the sector and threatens to distort the electricity market.
Cuts to subsidies did not prevent record capacity additions last year and the boom will continue as investors will seek to take last-minute advantage of generous, but fading support.
In 2010, an investment boom ahead of subsidy cuts, brought some 8 gigawatt (GW) of photovoltaic power capacity to an existing total of nearly... [continue via Web link]
| < prev | next > |
Note: this article may be subject to the Fair Use Notice.