Germany's Heated Solar Incentive Disputes End With 'Compromise'

After months of deliberation and heated disputes, the German government and its federal states have reached an agreement on controversial changes to the country's solar feed-in-tariff (FIT) plan.

When drastic cuts to Germany's solar incentives were announced in February, many in the industry feared the world's largest solar market could be in imminent danger. Thousands of protestors - led by the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) - stormed Berlin in March to denounce what they said was an attempt to phase out solar subsidies.

As a result, German Chancellor Angela Merkel postponed the effective date of the cuts. When the controversial changes were approved by the German parliament, however, several German federal states still opposed the plan, which was then referred to a mediation committee.

The new FIT plan, approved by the mediation committee on June 27, has been widely dubbed a “compromise,” but the subsidy reductions have remained largely unchanged.

Under the new agreement, the reductions will still be between 20% and 30%, depending on the size of the solar energy system. The government will retain the 2.5 MW to 3.5 MW annual “growth corridor,” without reducing funding. Under the original plan, this funding was set to be drastically reduced, according to financial firm Jefferies.

Systems smaller than 10 kW will receive 19.5 eurocents/kWh, projects between 10 kW and 40 kW will receive 18.5 eurocents/kWh, systems between 40 kW and 1 MW will receive 16.5 eurocents/kWh, and projects between 1 MW and 10 MW will receive 13.5 eurocents/kWh. Solar projects larger than 10 MW will not receive a FIT.

The previous plan had called for just one class for medium-sized projects between 10 kW and 1 MW, which would have received 16.5 eurocents/kWh.

The entire program will be capped at 52 GW, and as part of the compromise, the federal government will re-evaluate the FIT plan ahead of the cap being reached.

“This will give the industry some headroom to the cap,” said Jefferies analyst Jesse Pichel. “However, even at current low returns, it is likely that Germany hits that cap well before the target of 2020.”

Reactions to the recent FIT announcement varied, but most in the industry seem to agree that despite the compromise, Germany’s solar market is at risk of losing its premier status.

BSF-Solar, the ringleader of the proposed FIT cuts, welcomed the modifications to the original incentive plan - in particular, the breakdown of incentives for medium-sized systems - but still called the reductions “excessive.” The association also opposes the 52 GW program cap, saying the measure will reduce annual PV expansion in Germany by 50% compared to previous years.

The group noted that according to a recent study by Prognos AG, a doubling of solar power in Germany from 3.2% in 2011 to nearly 7% in 2016 would increase electricity rates by just 2.5% over the next four years.

According to a statement from Jefferies, however, Germany’s solar market will remain attractive due to cheap financing. Nonetheless, the firm expects there will be a negative effect on the German solar market in the second half of the year.

Germany needs green energy master plan -study

Germany needs a master plan that brings together central and local government policy and provides certainty for investors and project firms if it is to find the $420 billion needed to fund a radical shift towards green power, a study said on Monday.

HypoVereinsbank (HVB), a unit of Italy's UniCredit , put the cost of what Germans call the "energy U-turn" - its move to switch off nuclear plants, increase wind and solar power generation and improve power grids - at 335 billion euros ($420 billion).

Europe's biggest economy needs substantial investment to build up renewable capacity and connect it with the nine countries on its borders, it said.

Investments in plant and infrastructure would amount to 85 billion, while 250 billion would be needed for support payments to renewable energies, the study estimated.

"In core areas of the energy U-turn, project financing is currently only possible to a limited extent, because revenue and expenditure cannot be sufficiently gauged," HVB board member Lutz Diederichs said in a statement.

"This makes the calculation of cash for the projects difficult," he added.

By 2020, 35 percent of all Germany's electricity is meant to come from renewable resources, compared with 20 percent now.

Germany also has decided to phase out of nuclear power completely by 2022, faster than originally planned, in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The reactors had provided 23 percent of its power supply in 2010.

The HVB study, done jointly with the HWWI economic research institute in Hamburg, said a master plan was needed to bring together central government and state strategies, to ensure the integration of new power sources and to clarify the jobs to be undertaken by private versus public partners.

One obstacle to obtaining financing for renewable projects is that income from wind and solar can be unpredictable because it relies on weather.

For offshore wind farms in particular, questions also remain over liabilities for technical problems and maintenance as well as the lack of cable connections to onshore grids.

HVB recommended that some mechanism be found to stabilise cash flows from projects that account for at least half of the overall investment volume.

HVB said new international banking rules, dubbed Basel III, would make lending to renewable energy and grid projects, which tend to be for the long term and involve high risk, even more difficult and expensive.

Basel III requires banks to improve their risk-management systems and hold more capital as a safety buffer in case of economic or financial downturn, raising the bar for outlays on uncertain risks.

HVB recommended that banks, as well as making loans, should act as intermediaries to help raise funding from investors for projects.

"A successful implementation also hinges on acceptance by the population. So far, there are big discrepancies between the public perception and the realities of the energy shift," Michael Braeuninger, lead author at the HWWI, said.

Man break cheeks, jaw, teeth in bike accident

There are 13 plates and 50 screws in Tom Westcott's face. His jaw is active shut. For the next month, he'll sip his commons through a straw.

Westcott, 50, was in a biking blow on the Keystone Aisle about 11 p.m. on June 2. Westcott, of Papillion, and three added cyclists were benumbed south, abundant after than they originally planned.

He didn't accept a front-facing ablaze on his bike, but one of the added riders 4 anxiety abaft him did. It wasn't abundant to acknowledge a accumulation of ample branches, hidden in the shadows, that blocked the aisle beneath the alternation axle south of Q Street.

Westcott's bike airtight into the ample branches, snapping the anatomy in three places and casting him into the air. He landed 4 anxiety away, ballyhoo his cheekbones and jaw.

“I basically bankrupt my absolute face,” he said.

Emergency allowance cadre at Creighton University Medical Center active his jaw shut that night ― he was too bloated for surgery. A specialist at the Nebraska Medical Center operated on Westcott four canicule later.

He will be in and out of the doctor's appointment for about a ages while he recovers. He'll charge a few new teeth and braces to actual the blow from the abatement ― three teeth fell out and others “got ashamed around.”

Until then, no solid foods. He's already absent 19 pounds off his 6-foot frame, a aftereffect of the aqueous diet.

Still, Westcott counts himself lucky. He was cutting a helmet.

“The belief a part of the surgeons was that's what adored my action and kept me from paralysis,” he said. “Even admitting it was an blow that didn't charge to happen, I'm apparently one of the a lot of advantageous humans to accept that accident.”

Westcott said caliginosity hid the branches, which continued beyond the amplitude of the pavement. A ablaze on his bike wouldn't accept helped, he said. One of the riders abaft Westcott, Tom McCoy, believes the branches were placed there intentionally, because the aisle was bright a few hours earlier.

Westcott is slower to abode blame. “You abhorrence to accept that anyone would be that devious, but I don't know,” he said. “Kids do impaired things and don't apprehend it.”

The Omaha Badge Department is investigating the case to actuate how the branches got assimilate the aisle and if it was a bent act.

Lt. Darci Tierney, a badge spokeswoman, said anyone who notices apprehensive action on the aisle should acquaintance the police. Humans should acquaintance accessible works to abolish any obstructions, or bright it themselves, if possible.

Westcott hopes his adventure will accomplish others safer and added acquainted of their ambience if application the aisle system.

Driver charged after fleeing from deputies

A Spartanburg man faces numerous charges after he led sheriff’s deputies on a car and foot chase early Saturday.

A deputy was on patrol on Black Street about 2:30 a.m. when he saw a parked green car in the middle of the road with the driver’s door open, an incident report states. A man, who had been standing beside the car, saw the deputy and ran to the vehicle, jumped in the driver’s side and sped away, the report states.

The man, now identified as 39-year-old Michael William Foster, didn’t stop for police, although the deputy activated his lights and sirens, the report states. Foster got out of the car on Beacon Street and ran, but he was apprehended following a short foot case, the report states.

Foster had two active warrants for his arrest, and his license was suspended for three prior offenses within the same year, deputies said. Foster is a habitual traffic offender, as defined by state law. A partially consumed bottle of gin also was found in his car, the report states.

Foster remains at the Spartanburg County jail and has been charged with habitual offender, failure to stop for a blue light, loitering, open container and driving under suspension ― fourth offense.

A bicyclist has been charged with failing to have proper lights on his bicycle after police stopped him Friday night.

A deputy saw Devin Lejoe Louis Moultrie riding a blue Mongoose Montana mountain bike near Baltimore and Wofford streets about 11:50 p.m. Friday, but the bicycle didn’t have lights, an incident report states.

The deputy pulled beside Moultrie and activated his blue lights, but Moultrie didn’t stop, the report states. The deputy asked the cyclist to pull over, but he refused, the report states.

After several attempts to get Moultrie to stop, the deputy pulled his car at a safe distance in front of Moultrie so he would be unable to pass the car, the report states, but Moultrie still refused to get off his bike even after it was stopped.

Moultrie began riding in the wrong direction into traffic, and deputies finally were able to apprehend him, the report states. Moultrie smelled strongly of alcohol, and deputies found that although the bike had a light, it had dead batteries, the report states.

Moultrie was taken to the Spartanburg County jail and charged with operating a bicycle with no lights and public disorderly conduct, the report states.

State law requires all bicycles in use during nighttime hours to have a front light that is visible from at least 500 feet and a red reflector on the back visible from all distances from 50 feet to 300 feet, the report states.

A Spartanburg man has been charged with possessing a stolen vehicle after a woman he took to Walmart called the car’s owner.

The woman told police that Anthony Fletcher, 18, of 215 Lapear Drive, drove her to Walmart in a 1997 blue Mercedes. She said that he told her he had purchased the car, an incident report states. While Fletcher was inside Walmart, the woman remained in the car and found papers with a phone number on it. She called the number and asked the man who answered whether his car was missing, the report states.

Audi A1 Gets Sporty ‘amplified’ Upgrades

While the Audi A1 isn’t sold in the U.S., new upgrades for the car overseas may hint at some new trim options to be offered on some of the Audi’s other models, including ones sold here.

The new upgrades are designed to add a sportier touch to the A1 premium hatch and carry an ‘amplified’ tag.

The upgrades are available on both the A1 three-door and A1 Sportback five-door and can be broken down into three different levels, helping to offer something for everybody. They can only be ordered in Misano Red or Glacier White, however.

The first level is known as amplified. On this model, high-gloss black is applied to the roof line, S line roof spoiler, exterior mirror housings and single-frame grille. The exterior is further accentuated by 17-inch alloy wheels in five-arm design with black inserts and a matte, transparent film for the engine hood, roof and rear hatch. Inside, the air vents match the exterior color and special black-trimmed sport seats are fitted and come with contrasting stitching.

The second level is called amplified plus. Its interior is upgraded by a black headliner, an LED interior light package and a color coordinated ignition key. The center console and rearview mirror housing are also painted to match the exterior, while stainless steel caps for the pedals and foot rest underscore the car’s sporty character. There are also some additional aero pieces on the bodykit and LED tail-lights.

The third and final level, amplified advanced, is reserved for the most powerful A1 models. In addition to the equipment features offered for the amplified and amplified plus levels, this version offers the interior features of the S line sport package. In this package, Audi installs S sport seats with black upholstery in Silk Nappa leather and contrasting stitching in Parade Red or Dark Silver. The seat backs are also painted to match the exterior, while outside there are xenon headlights, 18-inch wheels and a large rear wing.

The iceshine fortwo also gets white alloy wheels, with new 3-double-spoke design and wide tyres in size 175/55 R 15 (front) and 195/50 R 15 (rear), to complement the white tridion safety cell and door mirror caps. LED lights and special logos are other signs of this car’s specialness.

Inside the cabin these models come with exclusive leather-effect seats with a white fabric insert on the backrest and white stitchi ng, plus a 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with shift paddles and white stitching. Unique floor mats are also included, and so is a standard audio system with RDS radio with USB and AUX ports for your MP3 or CD player.

As for the features, the cars get softouch automatic gear programme, electric windows, air conditioning with automatic temperature control, and a panoramic roof with sunblind. Electric power steering, heated seats, a lockable glove compartment, the smart sound system are also available. Other optional extras include black leather-effect instrument panel, BRABUS 3-spoke sports steering wheel with steering wheel gearshift and smart cradle for the iPhone 3/3GS and 4/4S. But they’re pretty expensive options.