Last year photovoltaic (PV) systems with a total capacity of approximately 7,500 megawatts (MW) have been installed in Germany, the German federal grid agency estimates based on a preliminary analysis of data reported. New PV installations slightly surpassed the figures of the record year 2010 with a total of 7,400 MW.

"In December alone, new PV systems were reported with a total capacity of 3,000 MW - a new maximum figure, which is about 40 percent of the new overall capacity reported in 2011," said Matthias Kurth, President of the German federal grid agency.

The reported figures are provisional, in particular due to the flood of reports in December, and it will take some time to analyze the data from October to December in detail, German grid agency notes. Based on the reports, the Agency in accordance with the requirements of the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) will calculate the forthcoming feed-in tariffs (FiT) for PV systems connected to the grid in July 2012. The reported new capacity from October 2011 to April 2012 will be used for the projection of 12 months figures.

4,150 MW added in Q4, 2011; Maximum FiT degression of 15 percent most likely in July

"Just for the last quarter of 2011, we recorded an additional capacity of approximately 4,150 MW. Already this figure would lead to a degression of 12 percent in July 2012. The maximum degression of 15 percent will take effect, if only about 225 MW of new PV capacity will be reported from January to April 2012, "said grid agency president Matthias Kurth.

With a newly installed capacity of 3,350 MW in the first three quarters of 2012 FiT would decrease by 24% in January 2013. The installation figures of October (approx. 490 MW), November (660 MW) and December 2011 (3,000 MW) are also basis for the calculation of the FiT degression to become effective on January 1st, 2013, that depends on the reports in the period October 2011 to September 2012. Due to first conclusions of the grid agency the mere 4,150 MW installed in the last quarter of 2011 would lead to a degression of 12 percent. The maximum possible degression of 24 percent would be reached, if 3,350 MW will be reported within the next nine months.


German PV capacity scheduled for 2022 could already be reached in late 2015

If the annual photovoltaic growth would remain at the level of about 7,500 MW the figures projected for 2022 would be reached much earlier - in fact at the end of 2015," says Kurth.
The detailed PV installation figures for October to December 2011 are expected to be released in March 2012.

2012-01-10| Courtesy: German federal grid agency | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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