Study: Solar power has long been causing noticeably lower electricity prices
The share of solar energy in Germany's electricity mix is rising; according to an analysis, this affects electricity prices. All households benefit from this.
(Image: Mariana Serdynska / Shutterstock.com)
A typical household in Germany has been able to save around 50 euros per year on electricity costs due to the existing share of solar power in the electricity mix. This, at least, is the result of a study by the consulting firm Enervis on behalf of the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar), which was presented on Wednesday this week. According to the study, the wholesale price of electricity would have been 15 percent higher on average last year without solar energy. The resulting savings thus amounted to around 6.1 billion euros for private individuals, businesses, and industry. In addition, another 1.3 billion euros came from electricity exports. The expansion of solar power therefore benefited not only those with their own photovoltaic system but everyone.
Further savings also depend on politics
Photovoltaics contributed approximately 13 percent to the energy generated last year. According to BSW-Solar, its share in the electricity mix is expected to double in the next ten years. The association and the consulting firm assume that this will permanently drive down electricity prices. Private households are expected to benefit from annual savings of even 70 euros, and industrial companies accordingly more. However, this requires the expansion of solar energy systems to proceed along the legally prescribed path, for which the framework conditions must be right. Therefore, the association is once again speaking out against debated cuts in subsidies for solar systems.
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Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche (CDU) announced in the summer that she wants to abolish the fixed feed-in tariff for new solar systems. This ensures that there is a fixed amount per kilowatt-hour for their grid feed-in for 20 years. However, she did not elaborate on the exact problem the minister sees. Criticism of the plans is massive, with fears that it would amount to a brake on the expansion of renewable energies. The coalition has not yet agreed on this course of action. BSW-Solar CEO Carsten Körnig now says, “Attractive and reliable framework conditions form the necessary breeding ground to continue to reap the fruits of the energy transition.”
(mho)
