Too much solar power in Germany

[marmar]

BERLIN - The German electricity grid faces instability because of too much solar power, an expert said.

Thanks to a generous feed-in tariff, the installation of rooftop solar panels and large-scale photovoltaic plants has exploded in Germany.

Stephan Kohler, chairman of the DENA agency, an energy adviser to the government, has warned that the green boom could turn into a disaster for Germany's aging power grid.

"The network is facing a congestion due to solar power," Kohler told the Berliner Zeitung newspaper. "That's why the expansion of solar power has to be cut back quickly and drastically. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/10/21-0

[EC]

1. They'll have to redo the grid or

develope a way where each house or unit can be off grid during collection and on grid when power generated by cells is used up..?

[SoCalDem]

2. Sounds like they need to hire some more people to work on replacing the grid..ASAP

It sounds like a GOOD problem to have..Too much "free" energy...green energy.. I wish WE had that problem here

[femrap]

3. Something just doesn't sound

right about this 'problem.'

[SoCalDem]

4. The problem may actually be that the people RUNNING those plants

can;t figure out a way to MAKE MONEY with this model:rofl:

[deaniac21]

6. The rub may be here..

The German government through the Renewable Energy Law, or EEG, regulates the feed-in-tariff aimed at boosting power production from renewable energy sources. Paid by German taxpayers via their electricity bill and guaranteed for 20 years, the levies vary from 21 cents per kilowatt-hour for offshore wind turbines to 46 cents per kw/h for roof-mounted solar panels.

[femrap]

8. Bummer....

:evilgrin:

[closeupready]

5. I have no idea what this means, or the significance of it.

Can someone explain?

[JackRiddler]

7. Now this is the kind of problem every country should have!

I'm sure they'll figure out a solution.

[fascisthunter]

9. What a Impressive Dilemma

gee... why can't we do the same. Oh that's right, the wealthy who invested in fossil fuels doesn't like that.