Solar Thermal Industry

• Nº 1 in Europe:  6,400 MWth total installed power in 2007

• 660 MWth of newly installed capacity in 2007
• EUR 850 million total revenues in 2007
• double-digit expected future annual market growth
• EUR 12 billion expected investment until 2012
• close cooperation with renowned research institutes (e. g. Institute for Solar Energy Research  ISFH, Fraunhofer ISE, German Aerospace Center DLR)
• 15,000 employees in 2007

MARKET - Rising oil and gas prices, increasing customer awareness for renewable energies, and the German federal government's Market Incentive Program (MAP) are the drivers of the excellent growth of Germany's domestic market. Germany holds Europe's largest market for solar thermal applications. From 2009 on, the Market Incentive Program will comprise a budget of EUR 500 million. Our central location offers easy access not only to our own but additionally to other emerging markets in Europe.  Manufacturers benefit from the "Made in Germany" quality guarantee.

PERSONNEL - Germany offers stable wages, high productivity, and a large pool of experienced, highly trained, and flexible workers. Almost 80 universities feature degrees in renewable energies and energy management. One out of 10 engineering graduates works in the renewables field.

R&D - A dense network of outstanding R&D institutes and universities creates ideal conditions for companies to advance their technologies and production processes. Close cooperation between manufacturers, suppliers, universities, and research institutes helps companies develop new technologies and products and bring them to market quickly.

INCENTIVES - Germany offers numerous incentives for all investors - regardless of whether they are from Germany or otherwise. There is a large selection of programs designed to support a wide variety of business activities at different stages of the investment process available. Support ranges from cash incentives for the reimbursement of direct investment costs to incentives for labor and research and development (R&D).

For R&D related to energy technologies another EUR 2 billion in total are made available by the Federal Ministry for the Environment in form of project grants.

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE - We offer an extensive and comprehensive logistics infrastructure that integrates state-of-the-art transportation networks with the most modern telematics, IT, and telecommunications systems.

STABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT - Social, economic, and political stability provide a solid base for your corporate projects. Our judiciary and civil services are highly professional. Contractual agreements are secure, and intellectual property is strictly protected in Germany.