According to predictions from the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar), sales of solar installations in Germany will experience clear double-digit percentage growth rates this year. This was announced by the Association in the run-up to Intersolar Europe, which will take place from June 9 – 11 at the grounds of the Munich New Trade Fair Centre.

The demand for solar installations in Germany rose sharply last year, with a newly installed photovoltaic capacity of 3.8 gigawatts (GW) registered at the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur). In total photovoltaic installations that are currently connected to the German grid reached a capacity of close to 10 gigawatts.

The significant market growth expected again this year has been triggered by the extraordinary amendment to the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) recently passed by the German Bundestag. The amendment provides for a substantial reduction in solar feed-in tariff starting from July 1, 2010, and again from the beginning of next year. This includes a 16% reduction for rooftop mounted systems and a 15% reduction for ground-mounted and other installations.

“Many consumers and investors are currently trying to take advantage of the old subsidies. This is why we anticipate an impact from pre-emptive purchasing and record demand in 2010,” said Carsten Körnig, CEO of BSW-Solar.

With a total installed capacity of over 9.8 gigawatts as of the end of 2009, Germany remains the largest solar energy market worldwide. In 2009, the German solar power industry and its suppliers generated sales of more than €10 billion and a total of 60,000 jobs now depend directly upon the photovoltaics industry.