The German solar industry has, according to the German solar energy association UVS, installed in 2004 more than 100 solar installations able to generate current or heat for a power of l 'order 000 MWp (total maximum power installed in
megawatts).

This allows Germany to pass for the first time in front of Japan which, according to estimates of the solar industry, reached an installed capacity in 2004 of approximately 280 MWp. The United States follows in third position with around 90 MWp.

German manufacturers of solar installations invested in 2004 a little more than 2 billion euros against 1,3 billion in 2003 and 840 million in 2002. This trend has also had positive effects on the whole industry: there has been Almost 5000 jobs were created in this sector in 2004. In total, around 30.000 people work in the solar industry in Germany.

Sources: DIHK Communiqué, 11 / 01 / 2005
Editor: Nicolas Condette, nicolas.condette@diplomatie.gouv.fr