Germany adopts PV solar panels

Germany is pioneering PV solar panel’s success. I spotted this on a train journey to Salzberg. They were everywhere. They currently have ten percent adoption that began in 1997.

Germany promoted solar panels through a world-pioneering feed-in tariff scheme. The German solar panel market remains the most exciting in the world, with its success forming a blueprint for the UK today.

Since its inception, Germany now has over 17,000MW capacity installed. The reason for this success is the generous generation tariff reward.

The UK’s PV solar export tariff began in April 2010. The scheme was a huge move forward for both country’s green energy industries. A perceived novelty factor by people previously, it took a while to get off the ground, yet once word spread, owning PV solar technology became a favourable proposition.

Both governments have clear intent on making green energy policy fundamental for cutting a country’s fossil fuel dependence. This had a secondary benefit of increasing the number of green jobs.

The feed-in tariff scheme has already proven itself in Germany, and the same level of success can be achieved here too. However, the scheme is designed to deteriorate over time. Rewarding earlier adopters the most; later adopters the least! It’s essential for potential adopters to see that the generation tariff has worked and made a difference.

A whole industry is springing-up offering free solar panels, but why? It’s always better to own your PV system.

Free PV solar panels offer

One unexpected problem of the feed-in tariff is the ‘free’ solar panel offer. Companies are wooing homeowners into signing over their roof space and here’s why? The tariff’s financial benefits are so good, that others want to claim yours.

My advice to anyone signing-up would be to think seriously first!

If you’re out of your home most of the day, then you won’t benefit from the free power and they won’t let you charge a battery storage device. Any surplus power will only be revenue for the free solar panel company.

The return-on-investment is good and why companies are so eager to give expensive solar panels away. However, technically they still own the equipment and your roof space they sit on – contractually. This brings complications with selling your home.

With someone else’s solar panels, potential buyers will be put off! If there’s a likelihood of selling your property within 20 years, then this type of scheme is not for you. Our advice is, not to be hasty.

Read any potential contract fully.

Understand the pitfalls and possible future implications. The allure of free electricity is strong, so keep in mind. These companies are not doing this for your benefit. If you want to benefit from PV solar panels; install your own.