Headline news from the German newspaper "Handelsblatt" reports that Germany is lagging in solar energy construction.

According to calculations by "Handelsblatt," several countries are developing photovoltaic construction faster than Germany. The problem of grid overload is becoming increasingly serious in Germany. In countries such as Greece, Switzerland, or Hungary, the pace of photovoltaic construction is significantly faster than in Germany.

Data from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems illustrates this. "Handelsblatt" analyzed these data. According to this, the additional solar power capacity per person in Germany between 2020 and 2024 was approximately 0.5 kilowatts (kW). This is roughly equivalent to the power of a single-crystal silicon solar module. In Switzerland, Greece, and Hungary, the per capita new additions were 0.6 kilowatts, and even reached 0.7 kilowatts in Austria.

Economic Minister Katrin Reiche (CDU) has already taken action. Last week, she questioned the national subsidies for small photovoltaic systems, which caused anger among a large part of the industry. The opposition also criticized Reiche's measures. The Green Party accused the CDU politician of wanting to hinder the energy transition. However, Reiche received support within her party. Andreas Rainer, spokesperson for the CDU's energy policy, told "Handelsblatt": "Uncontrolled expansion leads to increased grid pressure." Meanwhile, the installed photovoltaic power in Germany has increased by about 80%. However, during the same period, the number in Switzerland and Greece increased by more than 100%, and in Austria and Hungary, it increased by more than 300%.

This development has intensified concerns about the speed of the energy transition. German grid operators clearly see increasing problems with connecting more photovoltaic systems. Leonard Bimbaum, CEO of IEP Group, said: "We are overwhelmed by the connection requests." The consequences include situations such as surplus solar energy.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841065403162636/

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