Analysis of 2016 data by leading solar research institute shows no growth in electricity from renewable sources

Subsidy cuts dampened enthusiasm for solar panel installations in Germany last year (Pic: Flickr/Tim Fuller)
Subsidy cuts dampened enthusiasm for solar panel installations in Germany last year (Pic: Flickr/Tim Fuller)

Germany’s power generation from renewable sources is flatlining, according to a leading solar research institute.

Solar, wind, biomass and hydropower sources produced 186TWh in 2016, or 34% of net electricity supply, analysis from the Fraunhofer Institute shows – showing no increase from the previous year.

That was partly down to the weather: sunshine hours were down 4% and wind 14% from 2015 levels, lead researcher Bruno Burger told Climate Home.

A clampdown on subsidies also hit installations of solar panels, he said. “For wind, it was only weather conditions; for solar, it was weather and policy.”

With nuclear and coal generation in decline,…