Energy Matters offer their views on Germany’s latest programme of renting rooftops to produce solar electricity.
The weather condition in Germany has not stopped the country from producing grid connect solar power. The gross feed in tariff programme, which paid owners of grid connect systems a premium rate for all electricity generated by those installations, has also contributed to the overall production of solar power.
Germany added an extra 2.7 gigawatts of solar power during 2007, enough to supply the electricity needs for 1 million homes. This is nearly double the amount generated during 2006. In Berlin alone, 10,000 jobs have been created in the solar sector. Australia currently sources around 7% of its power through renewable energy.
In Germany's latest programme, they allow private investors to rent space on school roofs and public buildings for the purpose of solar electricity generation and have already turned 24 schools into mini power plants. Berlin's parliament is also expected to pass legislation shortly that would require anyone building or renovating a building to incorporate green energy generation.