

SEPCO's blog on all things renewable and green

Germany's Solar and Wind Power is Booming, What about us?

Posted by SEPCO

6/19/12 9:30 AM

Okay, so the blog has been quiet. Sorry about the lack of posts lately, but there is good reason for that. I went on vacation. Okay, well that's not a good excuse. But I do have a great post for you in return.

I traveled to Germany again (I go there as often as I can) and was amazed at what I saw. Solar is everywhere! Wind power generators have pretty much always been installed in Germany, I can remember going there as a child over 20 years ago and seeing the windmills all over in fields of corn, cows, sheep, etc. The solar is now growing to meet up with the wind power it seems.

I landed in Dusseldorf and as the plane came down I saw one of the nuclear plants off in the distance, but I also saw a lot of wind farms surrounding the nuclear plant. As the plane came closer to the ground I was able to see solar panels installed on just about everything. Roofs of buildings, homes, barns, in fields, etc. were all covered in solar panels. This is definitely a beautiful sight to see.

Solar Power in Germany

On the drive home we all kept pointing out one solar install after the other. We were also fascinated by the wind farms. Even our home town in Ostfriesland (or Eastern Friesland) had even more solar installed since our last trip there.

So here's my question: Why do I live in one of the sunniest places (South Florida) and see more solar in the land of snow and ice? And the windmills that are considered an eyesore and loud (I have no idea what they are talking about there, I didn't hear a thing) don't even exist in Florida as far as I know. What is wrong with this picture?

Now I'm sure you've heard about how Germany is pushing renewable energy subsidides like crazy and they are doing an amazing job at it. They are working towards shutting down all their nuclear plants by 2020 (I think it will be sooner the way they are moving) and are even selling their excess power to surrounding countries. Why can't we implement the same thing here in the US? California, New Jersey, and a handfull of other states are moving in the right direct...but come on Florida, it is time to catch up! 

Video from: http://www.discoversolar.co.uk/2012/06/14/why-solar-energy/

Topics: Green Ideas, Solar Power, Renewable Energy

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