All posts tagged: Germany
German PV feed-in tariffs to drop by 1.4 percent
In Germany, feed-in tariffs for new solar arrays drop each month, but by varying rates dependent upon recent installation volumes. Craig Morris points out that, while German solar proponents mainly complain about the market slowing down, new installations continue to overshoot the government’s target.
Germany’s Energiewende – the lessons for Finland
Could Finland implement an energy transition similar to Germany’s Energiewende? Karoliina Auvinen argues that Finland could, if it was willing to act courageously while learning from Germany’s early experiences.
Berliners for the Climate
Berliners go to the polls this Sunday (Nov. 3). But it’s not to elect a new parliament or chancellor – or even a municipal administration. Rather there’s a city-wide referendum about energy, namely of putting the transmission grid into citizens’ hands and founding a clean energy-minded municipal utility in Berlin.
The Official Explanation for the German Energy Transition
Critics of the Energiewende suggest that Germany will eventually have to change course. But as Ben Paulos shows, the Energiewende is firmly anchored not only in German society but also in mainstream politics and the administration.
Citizens own half of German renewable energy
German renewables organization AEE has updated and simplified its statistics on green energy ownership. Craig Morris says the new figures are much easier for foreigners to understand.
Three reasons why Germany is kicking our arsch on solar
Germany is racing past 20 percent renewable energy on its electricity grid, but news stories stridently warn that this new wind and solar power is costing “billions.” But as John Farrell shows, what is often left out (or buried far from the lede) is the overwhelming popularity of the country’s relentless focus on energy change (energiewende).
The misleading focus on cost
Recently, our Craig Morris explained that German retail rates are poised to stabilize even if the renewables surcharge continues to rise slightly. Today, he points out why we cannot expect the cost impact of feed-in tariffs to go down until around 2030 – and why that is not such a big deal.
Coming soon: an end to rising power prices
On October 15, Germany announced the renewable surcharge for 2014, which is roughly 1 cent higher per kilowatt-hour than in 2013. Craig Morris says there are signs that an end to higher prices is near. And you don’t have to take his word for it.
Agora proposes EEG 2.0
The Berlin-based think tank for the Energiewende has published its own proposal for revisions to the Renewable Energy Act, which specifies feed-in tariffs. The renewables community is up in arms. Craig Morris explains.