On March 5, approximately 11,000 people gathered in Berlin to protest against further cuts to the support for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which is planned in Germany from April. The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) claims that if the draft legislation is approved there can be a market downturn of up to 75%, causing bankruptcies of some companies and putting 100,000 jobs at risk.
German solar PV manufacturers are already facing increased competition. After the tariff price reduction approved in January, the support for solar PV will already fall 28% in 2012.
New legislation would bring further reduction of tariffs. According to a February poll carried by TNS Emnid, most Germans disagree with the reduction of solar PV systems.
-tk-