In Germany, the Renewable Energy Act of 2000 offers citizens preferable loan terms for purchasing solar systems, and gives them a guaranteed price when feeding excess energy back into the power grid (known as net metering). As a result of such support, the German PV industry--the most advanced in Europe--is projected to grow from its current installed capacity of 113 MW in 2001 to 438 MW by 2004.
As a result of government policies in Japan, grid-connected residential installations totaling 100 MW dominated sales in 2001. Germany's grid-connected systems accounted for around 75 MW. The 32 MW installed in the United States were divided between grid-connected systems and those in remote areas not linked to a power grid. All of India's 18 MW were for such off-grid installations. The 120-130 MW installed in some 50-60 developing nations were also for off-grid projects.
Both Japan and the United States were net exporters of solar cells. Almost two thirds of U.S. output was exported, while Japan exported 42 percent of its total.
The cost of electricity from solar cells remains higher than from wind or coal-fired power plants for grid-connected customers, but it is falling fast due to economies of scale as rising demand drives industry expansion.
As a result of government policies in Japan, grid-connected residential installations totaling 100 MW dominated sales in 2001. Germany's grid-connected systems accounted for around 75 MW. The 32 MW installed in the United States were divided between grid-connected systems and those in remote areas not linked to a power grid. All of India's 18 MW were for such off-grid installations. The 120-130 MW installed in some 50-60 developing nations were also for off-grid projects.
Both Japan and the United States were net exporters of solar cells. Almost two thirds of U.S. output was exported, while Japan exported 42 percent of its total.
The cost of electricity from solar cells remains higher than from wind or coal-fired power plants for grid-connected customers, but it is falling fast due to economies of scale as rising demand drives industry expansion.