German feed-in tariff cuts to take effect on July 1 February, 2010: Feed-in tariffs for rooftop systems will be reduced by 16 percent, while subsidies for ground-mounted systems on cropland are eliminated altogether. In-house consumption will receive an additional 8 euro cents (11¢) per kWh. Key representatives of Germany’s government have come to an agreement on the future of the country’s subsidy program for solar electricity. Starting July 1, 2010, feed-in tariffs for rooftop systems will decrease by 16 percent and large ground-mounted systems will have tariffs reduced by 15 percent. Tariffs for ground-mounted systems on redevelopment areas – including former industrial zones or military sites – will be cut by just 11 percent. Going forward, ground-mounted PV systems installed on cropland will no longer be eligible for feed-in tariffs. In return, such systems will be allowed along highways and train tracks. According to well-informed circles, Chancellor Angela Merkel, Vice Chancellor Guido Westerwelle, as well as the heads of their parliamentary groups, Volker Kauder and Birgit Homburger, agreed to this package today, Tuesday, Feb. 23. Thus, in contrast to previous announcements, the date the cuts will take effect has been postponed by a month. The politicians also decided on a change to incentives for in-house consumption. In the future, individuals consuming their generated solar electricity on-site will have a financial advantage of 8 euro cents (11¢) per kWh. Until now, a level of 10 euro cents (14¢) was under discussion. Furthermore, the maximum system size allowed by this regulation will be limited to 800 kW. That is 200 kW less than what was previously being considered. Apparently, the government also intends to examine the effects of the in-house consumption regulation more closely: according to government circles, the regulation will initially stay in effect until the end of 2011. It is still not yet decided whether individuals consuming their own solar electricity will be required to invest in certain technologies, such as control technology or energy storage. The agreement will be presented to the cabinet and then passed on to the German parliament, the Bundestag. Christoph Podewils © PHOTON International, February 2010 Duplicate only with allowance of PHOTON Europe GmbH, Aachen, Germany  back