German economy minister calls for overhaul to FiT

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Tensions in German chancellor Angela Merkel’s government continue over the future of feed-in tariffs. Economy minister Philipp Roesler is calling for an overhaul to the country’s subsidy system for renewable energy, created in the 1990s to ensure the clean-power industry remains competitive.

Roesler said power producers will need to face competitors without earning above-market prices over the long-term if the country wants to reach its clean-energy targets and not overpay. German consumers paid about €13 billion last year in subsidies for power from wind and solar plants.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Following the Fukushima catastrophe last year, Germany has started decommissioning its nuclear reactors, looking to increase its renewable energy usage to 80% by 2050.

Berlin-based module maker Solon SE and Solar Millennium AG, a developer of solar-thermal plants, filed for insolvency last month even as the country added a record 7.5GW of solar energy capacity in 2011, more than double the government’s target of 3.5GW.

Christiane Schwarte, a spokeswoman for environment minister Norbert Roettgen, said the renewable energy law in its current form has “stood the test of time.” Furthermore, she believes the current law will continue.

German consumers finance the clean-energy subsidies via their electricity bills. Under current regulations, Germany is expected to cut solar subsidies by about 27% this year after a 13% reduction in 2011, according to the BSW-Solar industry association.
 

Read Next

October 7, 2025
Econergy will acquire 100% stake in the 155MW Ratesti solar project in Romania, further expanding its European renewable energy portfolio.
October 7, 2025
Juniper Green Energy through its subsidiary Juniper Green Sigma Eight has signed a 70MW power purchase agreement with renewable energy giant Tata Power. 
October 7, 2025
Solar PV will account for almost 80% of the 4.6TW of new renewable power expected to be added by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
October 7, 2025
OpenSolar has secured US$13.1 million in equity financing from technology investors, including Titanium Ventures, Google and others.
October 7, 2025
Doral Renewables has secured a PPA with an unnamed 'corporate buyer' for its 430MW Cold Creek solar-plus-storage project in Texas.
October 7, 2025
US independent power producer (IPP) Arevon has begun operations at two utility-scale solar projects in Indiana.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland