New German 7.5 GWp PV Record by End of 2011 – Total Exceeds 20.6 GWp

Germany’s newly installed PV capacity in 2011 is likely to have exceeded 7.5 GWp. According to today’s figures from the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur – BNetzA), new solar capacity amounted 490 MWp in September, 660 MW in September, and a record 3,000 MWp in December.

If these figures are confirmed, Germany’s newly installed PV capacity for 2011 will have exceeded even the 2010 record of 7,377,678 MWp. The figure would also be more than twice as high as the government’s 2.5 to 3.5 GWp PV target corridor.

The latest figures lead to the following PV capacity table per 31 December 2011:

The Federal Nework Agency expects to release more detailed figures in March 2012.

As of 1 January 2012, the solar feed-in tariffs have been reduced by 15%.

The 4.15 GW from the fourth quarter of 2011 will count towards the next regular PV feed-in tariff reduction on 1 July 2012. Pursuant to Sec. 20a (5) of the amended 2012 Renewable Energy Sources Act, the newly installed capacity after 30 September 2011 and before May 2012 will be multiplied by a factor of 12 and divided by a factor of 7. The resulting figure will lead to the following reductions per 1 July 2012:

1. > 3,500 MWp: 3.0%;
2. > 4,500 MWp: 6.0%;
3. > 5,500 MWp: 9.0%;
4. > 6,500 MWp: 12.0%; 
5. > 7,500 MWp: 15.0%.

Therefore, with the 4.15 GWp from October to December 2011, this leads to a calculated figure of 7.11 GWp (4.15 GWp x 12 / 7). The July 2012 reduction will therefore be at least 12%. However, as additional capacity will be installed between January and April, the July reduction is very likely to be 15%.

It remains to be seen whether the political debate will lead to a further or quicker reduction. 

Source: Federal Network Agency

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• EEG Surcharge Forecast 2013: Increase to Between 3.66 and 4.74 ct/kWh
• Solar 2011: 3,357 MW of Newly Installed PV Capacity by End of September
• German 2012 PV Feed-in Tariff Reduction Minus 15%
• Preliminary New German PV Capacity in June 664 MWp – Adjustment of Older Figures
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• No Additional FIT Cut in July/September – 349.661 MWp New German PV Capacity in March/April 2011
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• German PV Capacity 2010: 1,174 MWp in December Add up to 7,408 MWp Total for 2010