S.A.G. Solarstrom AG

The solar age has only just begun

S.A.G. Solarstrom AG / Key word(s): Energy/
S.A.G. Solarstrom AG: The solar age has only just begun

DGAP-Media / 12.06.2012 / 10:46

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S.A.G. Solarstrom AG: The solar age has only just begun

Freiburg, June 12, 2012. In the opinion of S.A.G. Solarstrom AG (German
security identification number: 702 100, ISIN: DE0007021008), electricity
from photovoltaic power is already capable of competing with the price for
household electricity, both in Germany and in several other European
countries. The photovoltaics specialist is thus anticipating further new
installation rather than stagnation in the photovoltaic market, despite the
ongoing difficult market environment and reductions in the subsidy.
The S.A.G. Group is presenting itself at the Intersolar from June 13-15,
2012 in Munich, in Hall B4, Booth 310.
  
´Grid parity at household electricity prices has already been achieved in
Germany´, says Dr. Karl Kuhlmann, CEO of S.A.G. Solarstrom AG. ´The same
should also apply for industrial electricity prices in two to three years.
We thus find ourselves at the start of a very dynamic development. The
solar age has only just begun´. Photovoltaic power has become established
as an important pillar of a sustained and reliable energy supply and is in
the transition phase between a subsidized market and a competitive market.
´Consumers can produce a kilowatt hour of electricity today, using a
photovoltaic system, for considerably less than 20 Eurocents, in some
cases. The peak prices at the electricity stock exchanges have dropped
significantly, due to the increased feed-in of solar electricity´, says
Kuhlmann. ´The allegation that photovoltaic power is the reason for the
increase in electricity prices is thus clearly false, but has unfortunately
led to the government bringing the drive for competition with the
industrial electricity price to an abrupt halt - and not just in Germany´.

Kuhlmann once again advocated reliable political framework conditions. A
phase-out of scenarios that include subsidies is possible, provided these
are not abrupt and unplanned. Planning reliability is required, as changes
at short notice, as they are occurring in Germany, led to insolvencies and
job losses in the industry. Despite the reductions in subsidies and the
associated difficult market conditions, Kuhlmann still views the
photovoltaic industry on a long-term growth curve: ´The advantages over
conventional energy sources are outweighed. Photovoltaic power is local and
can be used without a massive network upgrade, has an energetic
amortization period of two to three years, is completely recyclable and
provides affordable energy at peak periods around midday. The further