What will the instabilities in the Europe economy have on solar installs this year? Will subsidies being reduced have a major impact on the solar market? These are questions on many minds as prices for solar panels remain low, while European economies struggle to find a footing.
Subsidies had a massive impact in Europe last year and meant that solar power became the most-installed energy source in Europe for the first time, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association reports.
solar pv germany Installations of photovoltaic panels in the region rose a massive 63 percent to 21.9 gigawatts, surpassing all new wind and gas- fired power capacity combined. Wind and gas plants connected in 2011 amounted to about 9.5 gigawatts each, it said.
Global installations reached 29.7 gigawatts last year, compared to 16.8 gigawatts during 2010, the new report shows. Italy and Germany made up 60 % of this market with 9.3 and 7.5 gigawatts, respectively.
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