Renewable energy reaches new milestone in Germany

October 18, 2013 0 By Erin Kilgore

Renewable energy production spikes in early October

Wind and solar energy production reached a significant milestone in Germany earlier this month. The country has become a leading force in the solar energy field and has established a formidable foothold in the wind sector. Both forms of clean power have garnered attention from the country’s government as it works to transition away from fossil-fuels and nuclear power. Over the past few years, Germany has become one of the strongest advocates for renewable energy in the world and has become home to several ambitious energy projects.

60% of country’s energy supplied through wind and solar systems

On October 3 of this year, wind and solar energy production accounted for 60% of Germany’s energy consumption. This day in particular featured particularly windy and sunny conditions, ideal for renewable energy production. Notably, renewable energy production reached its peak on that day at approximately 12:00pm, when energy consumption is relatively lax throughout the country. For the day as a whole, wind and solar energy accounted for some 36% of the country’s energy consumption.

Germany - Renewable EnergyWind helps northern states cut down on fuel consumption

This is not the first time renewable energy has made up the bulk of Germany’s energy production in recent years. Many of the country’s northern states regularly see 100% of their energy supply come from nearby wind power installations. While this occurrence is still quite rare, it is becoming more common as the country’s clean energy capacity grows.

Subsidies continue to aid the growth of solar energy

Germany has once been home to one of the most aggressive solar energy feed-in tariffs in the world. The program proved so successful in encouraging consumers to embrace solar energy that it threatened the financial integrity of the German government. The subsidies offered to solar energy have since been reduced significantly, but still remain to support new projects that take form in the country.

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