Germany. Not exactly the sunny Sahara. Its weather is often grey, grey, grey. But despite its mostly gloomy weather and the looming Alps casting shadows, this European country has managed to produce more solar power per person than any other country in the world.
It has even broken its own record for solar farm energy — in 2012 Germany generated 22 gigawatts of electricity, about half of its power quota.
Part of its reason for so many solar farms is that it decided to decommission all of its nuclear power plants. This decision was reached after the Fukushima nuclear power plant catastrophe which occurred after the earthquake and resulting tsunami in 2012. The nation’s goal is to provide an astounding 80 percent of renewable energy power by 2020. They’ve achieved their first place rating in part by the government offering solar farm companies subsidies.
The country has more than twice as much solar capacity per person than even California, considered a leader in U.S. solar development.
In a nation with so many grey skies, that means the potential for solar farm development in sunny U.S. states could be almost infinite.
Italy is second in its solar power capacity per person. Belgium is third, the Czech Republic is fourth and Greece is fifth. Sadly, the U.S., much larger than these relatively small European nationals, is ranked 20th worldwide in its solar farm and rooftop panel capacity.
The United States, though, could soon be wisely following Germany’s lead. Solar energy capacity could double every two years, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Solar power is expected to outrank wind power within 10 years, according to the commission.
Now is the time for investors to follow the lead of forward-thinking European nations and join the solar revolution. Contact the team of professionals at Innovative Solar Systems today to see why our solar farms are in such great demand here in the United States and abroad.
