Germany’s solar industry fears a PV self-consumption levy will further diminish the country’s already dwindling solar installation figures, according to national industry association, BSW-Solar.
In a survey of companies by the body, 90% of respondents said they were worried the charge planned by Germany’s new coalition government would put the country’s 2.5GW annual PV target out of reach.
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Under proposed reforms to Germany’s EEG renewable energy act, new energy minister Sigmar Gabriel wants 70% of a renewables charge paid by grid users to be applied to power produced by self-consumption.
The proposed policy has already prompted predictions of the collapse of Germany’s much envied PV industry.
According to BSW-Solar, 95% of solar firms in the country expect the charge to lead to a loss of orders, while 82% predict the loss of jobs.
On behalf of the industry, the association called on Germany’s federal government to abandon the reforms completely.
