Germany Adds Nearly 1% of Electricity Supply with Solar in Eight Months

from Renewable Energy World

Seemingly determined to put an end to speculation that solar photovoltaics (PV) can't "scale" quickly enough to make a dent in electricity consumption, the German solar industry continues to break records.

According to the latest data from the Bundesnetzagentur, Germany's solar industry added another 1,000 MW during July and August [which] brings the total for the eight-month period from January through August to 4,900 MW from nearly 175,000 solar installations. Solar PV installations to date in 2010 are capable of generating slightly less than 5 TWh of electricity under German conditions. [Since] Germany consumed 580 TWh of electricity in 2009 [i]nstallations of solar PV during the first eight months of 2010 are capable of providing 0.86% or nearly 1% of the country's electricity.
Germany currently meets approximately 1% of its supply with solar PV. With the 2010 additions, the country will meet 2% of its supply with solar PV.
Wind energy supplied 6.5% of Germany's electricity in 2009. Germany is expected to add another 4 TWh of generation from wind energy in 2010 or somewhat less than 1% of consumption.