PV Expo: Germany Drives High-Quality Solar Market

BERLIN, March 1, 2010 - Germany is home to approximately every second solar module
worldwide, based on industry estimates. 2009 installations exceeded
expectations, largely driven by an ongoing demand for high-quality rooftop
modules. Germany Trade & Invest will be presenting the latest opportunities
available in the world's largest solar market at this year's PV Expo, taking
place March 3 - 5 in Tokyo, Japan.

With new installations in 2009 likely exceeding 3.0 GW,
Germany accounted for roughly half of the world's photovoltaic market for the
year. The 2009 result boosts its total share of solar generation capacity
from 37 percent to nearly 50 percent of installed global capacity.

New PV installations were overwhelmingly in the area of small
rooftop systems. Through November, nine out of ten new 2009 installations
were systems with a capacity of less than 30 kWp, the smallest category. Of
these, either premium or medium-class solar modules were preferred. A vast
majority of private users favor one of these types of modules, while even
commercial customers prefer the premium and medium classes. These figures
indicate strong demand for high-quality products, which are synonymous with
the "Made in Germany" seal.

The key driver for Germany's overwhelming success in
photovoltaics is the two-pronged approach: industry support and market
adoption. Germany has attracted many of the largest names in the solar
industry, from research and development institutes to suppliers and
producers. At the same time, the domestic market is supported by attractive
measures such as the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) and the Environmental
Protection Loan Program, which reduce risk through long-term measures, namely
an attractive feed-in tariff and low interest loans.

Germany Trade & Invest will have representatives on hand at
this year's PV Expo (East Hall 4, Stand no. 22-26) to discuss business
opportunities in the world's largest solar market.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward
investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The
organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business
activities to the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

    Eva Henkel
    Germany Trade & Invest
    Email: eva.henkel@gtai.com
    T: +49(0)30-200099-173
    F: +49(0)30-200099-111

Eva Henkel, Germany Trade & Invest, Email: eva.henkel at gtai.com, T: +49(0)30-200099-173, F: +49(0)30-200099-111