The Future of Germany’s Solar PV and Wind Energy Markets

This 40-page report, complete with over 30 charts and graphs, provides insights into the future of solar PV and onshore and offshore wind markets in Germany, one of the most advanced countries in the world when it comes to alternative energy technology deployments.

In relative terms, the renewable energy sector in Germany is far more advanced than in most countries. However, Germany's markets still have substantial room for growth given the aggressive targets it has set for itself and the opportunities for exports abroad. It is also in the process of integrating new innovative photovoltaic (PV) technologies, repowering onshore wind installations and incubating nascent sub-sectors like offshore wind power.

This report focuses primarily on the state of the German PV and onshore and offshore wind power markets and the policy developments impacting their growth. In particular, it focuses on:

• Macro developments within the European Union (EU) affecting the sector
• Germany's feed-in-tariff system which is governed by the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)
• Recommendations for changes to the EEG by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment
• Various other types of financial and R&D support provided by the EU and German government to renewable energy companies.

Because Germany has been relatively successful in eliminating non-economic barriers to growth this report will not discuss them in great detail, except for those related to grid infrastructure, and namely those affecting offshore wind development. A free download of the executive summary for this report is available below.