The Market for Solar Power Generation

By 2020 20% of the total energy consumption of the European Union should be covered by renewable energies. In particular the market for the solar energy generation grows steadily – since the end of the 1990s at an compunt average of 40% per year. The segment of grid-connected systems registered in 2007 a growth of 63% in comparison to the previous year. And the predictions remain in spite of or precisely because of the global economic strains optimistic, since photovoltaics is, in the medium term, because of an ever increasing worldwide energy consumption, an important option for the certain and clean future energy supply and therefore a long-term safe financial investment. In the current market situation, which is characterized by climate change, investors above all benefit from a promotion of energy generation from renewable energies in more than 40 countries worldwide and sinking prices of the components of solar energy systems. Moreover Carpevigo is active in countries with a stable political framework.

 

Germany

In the past years Germany has established itself as one of the most important markets for the photovolaics world wide, with an increase of the installed capacity of about 800 MWp in 2006, 1.2 GWp in 2007and 1.5 GWp in 2008. App. 5.4 million kWp of electricity were produced by PV installations in Germany in 2008. By 2020 photovoltaic power plants are expected to cover up to 7% of the electricity consumed in Germany. With the amendment of the Renewable Energy Law (Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz – EEG) at the beginning of 2009 for the further promotion of renewable energies all the signs point in Germany to planning dependability. Appealing feed-in tariffs in conjunction with significantly decreased system costs ensure above-average and secure income return.

Italy

Italy is one of the most attractive new markets in Europe and is expected to be one of the strongest markets in 2010. The background is the stable framework created by the “Conto Energia” regulation of 2007, which allows the market to grow substantially. Even here the purchase obligations and guaranteed feed-in tariffs ensure a unique growth rate – until 2010 between 145.1 and 187 percent. By mid 2009 the total capacity of the installed systems surpassed the 400 MWp mark. Alone the growth of 2008 accounts for 150 MWp. Carpevigo has since March 2009 a subsidiary in Italy and has also in the meanwhile founded projects companies for the construction and operation of solar power plants. Carpevigo is currently planning and developing, together with cooperation partners, two solar power plants in the centre of Italy, both in the power range well above 1 MWp.

Spain

Together with Germany and Italy, Spain is one of the main markets of Carpevigo – with contractually secured projects with a total volume of over 20 MWp. Half of the new photovoltaic systems implemented worldwide in 2008 are located in Spain (2.66 GWp). There the generation of solar energy is actively supported by the “Plan de Energias Renovables” and the “Real Decreto 661/07”. In plain text: the utility companies are obligated to purchase solar energy at guaranteed feed-in tariffs for 25 years.

Status: October 26, 2009