Greenservations 6: Solarenergie

Solarenergie is one of those German words that you 100% know what is means without knowing a lick of German.  That's right folks, this Greenservations post is dedicated to solar energy in Germany!  I've been meaning to write a post about this for a while, but after a record breaking weekend Germany is getting a lot of press for their solar power awesomeness, so I figure this week is fitting! 

Following the nuclear accident in Japan last year, Germany vowed to phase out all nuclear power operations, and have been focusing their attention on renewable options such as solar.  I'm actually a fan of nuclear power, but I can't complain about placing other renewables first. As you can see in the linked article, or by simply Googling 'solar power in Germany', there are lots of really impressive statistics surrounding Germany and their solar power initiatives.  For example:

• Last Friday and Saturday, Germany produced a WORLD RECORD 22 giggawatts of solar electricity per hour (equivalent to 20 nuclear power stations operating at full capacity)
• This meets 50% (WHAT?!) of the ENTIRE country's MIDDAY needs. (SUPER impressive)
• Germany instituted a feed-in tariff (FIT) system that required utilities to pay for solar energy production, no matter how big or small the source (so basically any Jens Schmo can plug in solar panels and get paid for it!)
• About 20% of Germany's annual electricity needs come from renewable sources

Before the record breaking weekend of solar production, I had definitely noticed Germany's enthusiasm for solar on my own.  When riding the Bahn through the German countryside, I can't help but notice all the little villages full of traditional houses retrofitted with solar panels on top of them!  I've tried to get pictures myself, but the train moves fast, so check out these to get an idea...


Bringin' that house into the 21st century!



See all the blue on the roofs?

The German use of solar power, and other renewables, further supports my observation that Germans are just inherently more environmentally conscious than most other countries.  Not to mention they have a government that supports national environmental initiatives, such as solar power!  I found this interesting article comparing government subsidies and solar power in both the US and Germany.  My favorite stat from the infographic is that the US gets 3900% more sun than Germany, but Germany has 6000% more solar power than the US. What are we waiting for?!

What do you guys think, will the US ever be as gung-ho about solar as Germany? I hope so!