The German government solar energy official, Dr. Karin Freier told a Euroforum conference that solar module installations reached 3GW in 2009, according to Reuters. The official figures have yet to be released, with many industry observers believing the figures are being withheld until proposed feed-in tariff cuts gain full authorization. Reuters quoted Freier as saying that more than 5GW could be installed in Germany this year as the race to beat the tariff cuts that are to start July 1st occurs.
Dr. Freier reiterated previous government stance that the cuts were required to keep the public in favour of solar while reducing the burden on the public with higher electricity prices.
She also acknowledged that the cuts would be very difficult for the German PV manufacturers to absorb the cuts via lower product prices.