The German solar industry once held the front, but must now defend itself globally. To survive, it will have to prevail over the competition. Germany's Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) is leading the way with its PV Roadmap 2020, proposing a battle plan to keep the German solar sector competitive-and make photovoltaics a central pillar of the country's energy supply.

Paris: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday decided to take on anti-nuclear protesters and the country's opposition parties when she and her Cabinet decided to press ahead with plans to extend the life of Germany's nuclear power plants.

Ms. Merkel has consistently argued Germany needs nuclear energy to maintain its impressive recovery.

Small-scale wind power is getting a lot of attention nationally and internationally and is becoming increasingly popular. Even politicians now believe in the potential of wind generators. But these systems won't get established without mandatory quality standards.

A German delegation, comprising of Kirsten Weltzien, Alexander Klass, Eduard Wegner, Tuesday called on Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and discussed matters pertaining to energy development. Secretary Irrigation was also present on the occasion. The CM Punjab, in the meeting, said that dearth of energy was severely affecting agriculture and industry in the province.

Giant electricity plants in the Sahara desert could provide 15 per cent of Europe's power. But there may be better solar solutions closer to home.

California is heating up its push for clean energy, as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approved a new subsidy for solar power on Monday and joined forces with the federal government to fast-track renewable energy projects.

Germany's conservatives and their Free Democrat allies will reform the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) but cuts for solar power rates will be modest to prevent harming the fast-growing industry, a coalition source said on Sunday.

The German army has identified a series of wind park projects as a threat to national security and blocked investments worth 1.5 billion euros because it fears spinning wind turbines will interfere with its radar systems.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought cooperation of the German government in coal mining and introducing solar-energy system on a massive scale in Bangladesh.

She made the request when new German Ambassador in Dhaka Holger Michael paid a courtesy call on her at the PM's office.

Energy conscientious Germans taking power production into their own hands may give a wake-up call to established utility firms, as innovators roll out new competition on the clean energy front to grab market share.

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