Asian Photovoltaic Technology Show: Germany Offers Top Conditions for Asian Investors

Asian Photovoltaic Technology Show: Germany Offers Top Conditions for Asian
Investors

SHENZHEN, China, January 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Solar energy companies
increased worldwide output by over 50% in 2007. Experts believe that the
sector has plenty of room to grow, especially as the increasing price of oil
forces global leaders to seek alternative forms of energy. Asia's strong
interest in renewable energies is translating into rising profit potential
for Asian companies. As the world's leading location for photovoltaic (PV)
investments, Germany is essential to helping Asian companies optimize
research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and market access. This year's
Asian Photovoltaic Technology Show will offer information to Asian companies
on how they can benefit from Germany's leading position in the world PV
market. The trade fair runs from January 16 to 18 in the Chinese city of
Shenzhen.
Germany is home to numerous domestic and international PV companies of
all sizes. The country's world-renowned Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) is
helping to secure the domestic market while the "Made in Germany" label is
trusted worldwide, cementing Germany's export success. Germany is the world's
largest PV market. In 2007, it added an estimated 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of
installed capacity, an increase of more than 30% over 2006. PV production is
growing in Germany because the country is establishing superb conditions for
new investment.
The EEG is favorable to PV energy. It sets a "feed-in tariff," more than
twice the market price that owners of PV products receive when their energy
is sold to utility companies. By law, this price remains constant for twenty
years. The EEG therefore provides an incentive for consumers to buy PV
products, and Germany's favorable conditions are resulting in significant
returns for PV investors: In 2006, the PV industry had an estimated EUR3.7
billion in sales.
Germany's advantages to the PV investor go beyond domestic sales. Rather
Germany's geographic location places it in close proximity to growing
European PV markets, enabling exports. The country is also a manufacturing
center for PV products. Additionally, close cooperation among PV companies,
research institutes, and equipment manufacturers allows for advances in
production technologies - facilitating cost reductions. German engineering
companies and local authorities are experienced in PV, allowing quick
implementation of PV investment projects.
"The worldwide PV industry trusts the 'Made in Germany' label. Many
leading PV companies, such as Q-Cells, First Solar, Arise, and Nanosolar are
utilizing the country's advantages to achieve successful returns," notes
Nikolai Dobrott, director for Renewable Energies and Resources at Invest in
Germany.
Invest in Germany is the inward investment promotion agency of the
Federal Republic of Germany. It provides investors with comprehensive support
from site selection to the implementation of investment decisions. Invest in
Germany will be in Hall 2, booth C21 at the Asian Photovoltaic Technology
Show in the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center.
Media Contact:

Eva Henkel,
Invest in Germany,
Phone: +49-30-200099-173,
Fax: +49-30-200099-111,
Email: henkel@invest-in-germany.com.

http://www.invest-in-germany.com

SOURCE Invest in Germany

Media Contact: Eva Henkel, Invest in Germany, Phone: +49-30-200099-173, Fax:
+49-30-200099-111, Email: henkel@invest-in-germany.com.