German government cannot find common ground on solar subsidies cuts

June 14, 2012
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The German government struggles to reach common ground on the proposed solar cuts, according to Bloomberg. In an email statement it was said that the upper house failed to reach an agreement in a panel meeting. Talks will resume on June 27. The upper house representatives have voiced concerns that the legislation will hurt domestic producers like Solarworld even further.

“While this may spur hopes of tamer cuts, the Bundesrat has no legal authority to overrule,” Aaron Chew, analyst at the Maxim Group, explained in an emailed note. “While timing could be tweaked, the overarching spirit of the cuts [and the planned elimination of aid for plants larger than 10MW] is unlikely to change,” Chew said.

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

On June 18, the environment minister is meeting with state leaders to discuss the subsidies. After new German PV installations reached 7.5GW last year, the government suggested a reduction of the annual installations by half. The first plan to lower solar subsidies by about 29% was rejected by the upper house last month.

“Politicians are deciding about the future of photovoltaics in Germany,” said Carsten Koernig, managing director of the BSW-Solar lobby, said in an email statement on June 12. Solar companies will suffer if lawmakers “don’t make improvements quickly.”

Further information on the development of Germany's subsidies uncertainty can be found here.

Read Next

March 13, 2026
Elsewedy Electric has completed and handed over the 348.6MWp El Saad solar plant, which has now officially entered its operations and maintenance phase.
Premium
March 13, 2026
PV Talk: According to kWh Analytics' Jason Kaminsky, 'there’s more capital available for risk and risk exposure' in the present investment environment.
March 13, 2026
US-based tracker manufacturer FTC Solar has signed a 1GW solar tracker supply agreement with solar and storage developer Strata Clean Energy.
March 13, 2026
Scatec, in partnership with Aeolus SAS (Aeolus) have achieved commercial operations for the 60MW Sidi Bouzid solar plant in Tunisia.
March 13, 2026
Current solar PV module price increases are largely dictated by five major components, according to data from Intertek CEA
March 13, 2026
Renewable energy investment platform Nexwell Power has closed a €167 million (US$191 million) multi-tranche project financing for a 248MW solar PV portfolio in Spain.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain