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One important factor driving the improvement in prospects for solar power has been the German government’s decision not to cut its feed-in tariff. This has boosted the number of major new projects going ahead and raised confidence among investors of the long-term attractiveness of solar power.

In addition, with the drastic reduction in Germany’s dependence on nuclear power, following the problems at the Fukushima Daiichi in Japan, solar energy is set to become a more important part of Germany’s renewable energy program and economy.

“This is reassuring news for investors and the industry alike,” commented Engin Yaman, general manager of Tenesol Germany. “The German market slowed significantly at the start of the year following the announcement that the feed-in tariff was to be cut. New installed capacity was only 700 MW (between March and May)--a figure that previously would have accounted for just one month. I think this demonstrates how severe the impact of the proposed cut was, prompting government officials to reconsider their proposals.”

Research shows that converting and storing solar energy will allow an increase in the use of solar power and make it more attractive as an autonomous power source. Currently, the majority of on-grid PV systems feed electricity directly into the grid. By developing an innovative, integrated, modular product, the energy storage project aims to link energy conversion with self-consumption.

“Investors have a much deeper knowledge of PV technology now,” concluded Yaman. “They know how it can be used and demand more from its application. Tenesol offers unique modules that are tailor-made to meet the needs of specific projects. This means architects can create unique BIPV designs that use solar technology in a unique way. We believe this evolution from standardized modules will help the industry to quickly recover.”

Further Information: Tenesol (www.tenesol.com)