PV Expo: Germany Drives High-Quality Solar Market

Berlin (ots) - Germany is home to approximately every second solar
module worldwide, based on industry estimates. 2009 installations
exceeded expectations, largely driven by an ongoing demand for
high-quality rooftop modules. Germany Trade & Invest will be
presenting the latest opportunities available in the world's largest
solar market at this year's PV Expo, taking place March 3 - 5 in
Tokyo, Japan.

With new installations in 2009 likely exceeding 3.0 GW, Germany
accounted for roughly half of the world's photovoltaic market for the
year. The 2009 result boosts its total share of solar generation
capacity from 37 percent to nearly 50 percent of installed global
capacity.

New PV installations were overwhelmingly in the area of small
rooftop systems. Through November, nine out of ten new 2009
installations were systems with a capacity of less than 30 kWp, the
smallest category. Of these, either premium or medium-class solar
modules were preferred. A vast majority of private users favor one of
these types of modules, while even commercial customers prefer the
premium and medium classes. These figures indicate strong demand for
high-quality products, which are synonymous with the "Made in
Germany" seal.

The key driver for Germany's overwhelming success in photovoltaics
is the two-pronged approach: industry support and market adoption.
Germany has attracted many of the largest names in the solar
industry, from research and development institutes to suppliers and
producers. At the same time, the domestic market is supported by
attractive measures such as the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) and the
Environmental Protection Loan Program, which reduce risk through
long-term measures, namely an attractive feed-in tariff and low
interest loans.

Germany Trade & Invest will have representatives on hand at this
year's PV Expo (East Hall 4, Stand no. 22-26) to discuss business
opportunities in the world's largest solar market.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward investment
promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The organization
advises foreign companies looking to expand their business activities
to the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

Originaltext: Germany Trade and Invest
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Contact:
Eva Henkel
Germany Trade & Invest
Email: eva.henkel@gtai.com
T: +49(0)30 200099-173
F: +49(0)30 200099-111