Germany Sheds Light on Solar Success

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) recently concluded a fact-finding mission in Germany. The trip included a number of utility decision-makers — executives, managers and other people responsible for deciding how to fulfill the U.S.'s energy needs. Thirty-one utility executives spent five days touring German solar installations and meeting with key members of the German electricity market.

The trip focused on the successes that German utilities have had with solar deployment. Germany currently leads the world in solar installation. During the trip, U.S. utility executives had the opportunity to meet with a variety of German experts, from leading photovoltaic technology companies to both large and small scale solar installations.

Based on the enthusiasm of U.S. utility executives for solar energy, the trip seems to have been a success. Prior to traveling in Germany, the participating utilities generally reported that their companies were planning to implement some level of solar technology within two to five years. After the trip, participants reported that their companies would be tackling solar power within the next two years.

"Germany has established a national renewable program that has achieved impressive results in terms of the large amounts of solar deployed and innovative developments in solar technology. The technology innovations are directly transferable to the U.S. and will facilitate the scalability and competitiveness of solar," said Roy Kuga, vice president of energy supply at Pacific Gas & Electric Company and a member of the delegation. "The potential for solar in the U.S. is great given the higher level of solar radiation compared to Germany, and PG&E remains committed to helping realize this potential within California at competitive prices."

Solar energy isn't so much a matter of geography: what works in Germany will easily translate to U.S. solar installation. The combination of consumer demands for renewable energy and the rising costs of running non-renewable electric installations have made solar energy far more appealing to U.S. energy companies. Furthermore, after the experience of seeing solar power in action, many decision makers have had their preconceived notions, on such matters as the cost of solar installations, disproved. It seems likely that in the communities where these travelers make utility decisions, solar is getting a closer look.

SEPA has published a full report on the fact-finding mission. It's available as a PDF on the SEPA website. As an organization, SEPA offers education and intelligence on solar energy. It has more than 300 utility and solar industry members.
 

Related articles:

Power Utility Execs Anticipate Sweeping Changes
Business Shines at Solar Conference
DOE Spotlights New Crop of 'Solar Cities'
Technologies Target Solar's ROI
Aussie City to Build Island 'Solar Suburb'

Photo by Mike Taylor, courtesy of SEPA