The city is also home to the first European hotel to run completely on alternative energy sources. Even the soccer stadium has solar panels.

It is known locally as 'Solar Valley'.

Yet, this is not something that is confined to Freiberg. The country's love affair with solar panels has exploded.

But it's not the threat of power shortages or climbing fuel bills, but economic incentives that kick-started the interest in solar panels in Germany.

Due to the Renewable Energy Act, Germans can enjoy a staggering 43 cents for each kWh (kilowatt per hour) of solar power generated.

Another program, initiated by the German government is also rapidly growing. The '100,000 roofs' initiative helps consumers get low-interest credits to finance solar panels for their properties. As the program grew, the government hoped by 2003, to have more than 100,000 private homes with solar photovoltaic systems.

The initiative started slowly, but not due to any lack of interest.

"More than 10,000 customers already registered before the start of the initiative. The government was completely overwhelmed by this response and had to stop the initiative for about three months," said explained Uwe Hartmann, vice president of the German section of the International Solar Energy Society.

"Solar panels are hip in Germany. People are not just in it to save money, they really believe in alternative energies with their hearts and are willing to jump in head first", says Rian van Staden, executive director of the International Solar Energy Society.

Solar Power Park

On the former military training grounds in Lieberose, Brandenburg, in Germany, Europe’s largest solar installation is being completed with help from First Solar.

The Lieberose Solar Farm is not only the world leader in terms of size and capacity, but will also serve as a model project for the renaturalization of former military sites.

The Lieberose Solar Farm marks a milestone for the solar energy sector and stands for the strong link between sustainable technologies and environmental protection.

Juwi Solar GmbH, project developer for regenerative power plants, as well as the American photovoltaic module manufacturer First Solar, realized the project with a joint funding effort of EUR 160 million.

The plant covers 162 hectares and should be completed by the end of 2009. With an output of 53 megawatts, the electricity supply for roughly 15,000 households can be covered.

First Solar is equipping the installation with 700,000 cutting-edge thin film modules, a majority produced at its plant in near Frankfurt.

In addition to its status as Europe’s largest solar plant, the model project represents an ecological benchmark. The park will serve to generate solar energy power for more than 20 years.

Thereafter, the modules and components will be disassembled and disposed of at an already existing First Solar recycling plant.

The solar plant is simultaneously a flagship project for the use of former military grounds. A one-time payment and leasing agreement with the federal state of Brandenburg secured the removal of warfare agents and munitions from the site, which was used since the early 1990s as a military training ground and chemical storage site.

At the end of the energy generation project, the Lieberose moorlands will be free of any contamination or weaponry and available for nature conservation projects.

Useful Resources

Are you tired of soaring fuel bills? Would you like your very own solar power system for under $200/£100 that will save you 80% on your electricity bill and help the environment? If the answer is 'YES' then click here for more information.

To return to Solar PV Programs.

To return to our solar energy home page.