Looking for a solar parking space canopy: Planning to build a solar carport or system in Krefeld, Oberhausen, Hagen or Hamm?

• Quick and easy assembly
• Stable strip foundation as impact protection
• Customizable design (color, materials, surface, size, etc.)
• Installation of charging stations and inverters is possible at any time
• Scalable & modular: Available as a single, double or infinitely scalable row carport
• Even in its standard version, it can be used for very high wind and snow loads (s_k= 2.2 kN/m²).
• Extra-large and wide parking spaces and very easy parking thanks to W-shaped supports
• High-quality design for demanding and long-lasting requirements: Hot-dip galvanized steel construction (DIN EN 10346, DIN EN 1461)

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Everything from a single source, specifically designed for solar solutions for large parking areas. Refinance or offset your future costs with your own electricity generation.

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Photovoltaic Library (PDF) – Image: Xpert.Digital / Benvenuto Cellini|Shutterstock.com

Large PDF library: Market monitoring and market intelligence on the topic of photovoltaics.

Data is reviewed and its relevance assessed at regular intervals. This usually yields a number of interesting pieces of information and documentation, which we summarize in a PDF presentation: our own data analyses and marketing intelligence, as well as external market observations.

More information here:

• Overview of Photovoltaics/Solar Library & Interesting Facts as PDFs for download

Number of new charging stations in Germany from 2010 to 2021 – Image: Xpert.Digital

Around 4,500 new charging stations for electric cars went into operation across Germany in 2020, having completed the notification process with the Federal Network Agency. The largest increase to date was in 2019, with over 5,000 new charging points. In total, there are now over 19,600 charging stations for electric cars in Germany.

The source states: “The map shows the charging stations of all operators who have fully completed the notification procedure of the Federal Network Agency and have agreed to publication on the internet. The LSV does not allow for a complete recording of the entire German charging infrastructure. The number of publicly accessible charging stations in Germany is therefore greater than shown here.”

Due to late registrations, the data from previous years may change.

What is the development of new charging stations in Germany?

• 2010 – 89 charging stations
• 2011 – 254 charging stations
• 2012 – 153 charging stations
• 2013 – 144 charging stations
• 2014 – 315 charging stations
• 2015 – 620 charging stations
• 2016 – 1,174 charging stations
• 2017 – 2,040 charging stations
• 2018 – 4,107 charging stations
• 2019 – 5,019 charging stations
• 2020 – 4,530 charging stations

People planning to modernize a solar power system after vocational training – Image: Xpert.Digital

People in Germany planning to modernize or purchase a new solar system (photovoltaic system) after vocational training, compared to the general population

According to projections, around 3.31 million people in Germany were definitely or possibly planning to modernize or purchase a new solar/photovoltaic system in 2020. Approximately 22.9 percent of this group held a university degree. Meanwhile, around 11.6 percent of the general population held such a degree.

People planning to modernize a solar power system after vocational training

Population

• 2.5% – Still in training
• 3.6% – Apprenticeship without qualification
• 56.3% – Apprenticeship with qualification (journeyman's/skilled worker's certificate)
• 8.6% – Vocational school/technical school with graduation, master craftsman's certificate
• 6.4% – University of Applied Sciences degree (also engineering school degree)
• 11.6% – University degree
• 3.3% – Other vocational training
• 14.7% – None of that

People who are definitely/possibly planning to modernize their solar/photovoltaic system

• 2.4% – Still in training
• 1.6% – Apprenticeship without qualification
• 45.6% – Apprenticeship with qualification (journeyman's/skilled worker's certificate)
• 13% – Vocational school/technical school with graduation, master craftsman's certificate
• 9.5% – University of Applied Sciences degree (also engineering school degree)
• 22.9% – University degree
• 3.5% – Other vocational training
• 18% – None of that

Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems were already the most widespread in Europe in 2013 – Image: Xpert.Digital

The statistic shows the distribution of newly installed photovoltaic capacity in Europe by segment in 2013. Ground-mounted PV systems accounted for the majority of new installations in Europe in 2013, with a share of 34 percent.

Photovoltaics – Most installed photovoltaic capacity by sector

• 34% – Open-field installations
• 27% – Commercial
• 22% – Housing
• 17% – Industry

How Fukushima changed Japan's energy mix – Image: Santiherllor|Shutterstock.com

Nine years later. The nuclear incident of March 11, 2011, in Fukushima, Japan, made international headlines for months, but it also changed Japan's attitude toward nuclear energy. After a devastating tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011, emergency generators cooling the Fukushima nuclear power plant failed, causing a total of three meltdowns, explosions, and the release of radioactive material into the surrounding areas.

Before the incident, the Japanese were known as staunch supporters of nuclear power, despite previous nuclear disasters at Three Mile Island (USA) and Chernobyl (Ukraine). However, a meltdown on their own soil changed the opinions of many citizens and sparked the anti-nuclear movement.

Following mass protests, the Japanese government under then-Prime Minister Yoshihiko announced plans to make Japan nuclear-free by 2030 and not to rebuild any of the damaged reactors. The new Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has since attempted to change the nation's opinion on nuclear energy by emphasizing that the technology is indeed carbon-neutral and well-suited to achieving emissions targets.

More information here:

• Japan: How Fukushima changed Japan's energy mix

In Germany, 47% of the electricity mix comes from renewable sources – @shutterstock | Christos Georghiou

According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, 47 percent of the electricity generated in Germany this year comes from renewable sources. Up to and including mid-July, wind and solar power plants in Germany produced almost 100 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. By comparison, lignite and hard coal produced 84 TWh. According to a report in the Handelsblatt newspaper, the share of coal-fired power plants in German electricity generation fell surprisingly sharply in the first half of the year. "Wind, solar, and even gas-fired power plants have largely displaced hard coal power plants from the market, but increasingly also lignite-fired power plants."

More information here:

• 47% renewable energy mix

Solar panel installers at work – Image: natthawut.2529|Shutterstock.com

Two of the five fastest-growing job titles in the US also offer a median wage below the US annual median, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Solar photovoltaic installer jobs are expected to grow by 63 percent over the next ten years, nearly ten times faster than overall job growth. The median wage for this job is currently about $5,000 above the median.

This trend is changing for healthcare work. The fastest-growing sector is the healthcare industry, with healthcare jobs projected to grow by 18.2 percent over the next ten years. The specific jobs experiencing the highest growth are home healthcare and personal care, with projected growth of 37 and 36 percent, respectively. Although both job titles are twice as high as their overall industry growth prospects, both pay significantly less than the national average annual wage. Approximately fifty percent of those in both job titles earn less than $24,000 per year.

More information here:

• With graphic: The fastest growing jobs are not always the highest paid

Solar installers in the USA – Image: Frame Stock Footage|Shutterstock.com

After years of rapid expansion, US solar employment peaked at 260,000 in 2016 before stalling amid tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. These tariffs on crystalline silicon modules and cells were among the factors that led to two consecutive years of job declines, with employment falling to 244,340 in 2018. The Solar Foundation has released its latest National Solar Job Census, which contains good news for the industry after this period of uncertainty: Solar employment has rebounded, rising 2.3 percent to 249,983.

Thirty-one states saw an increase in solar employment in 2019, with Florida leading the way. Further proof that Florida truly is America's Sunshine State, it experienced an expansion of residential and utility solar installations, along with increased availability of solar leasing, allowing installers to offer their customers more attractive financing options. The solar industry added 1,843 jobs, the highest absolute number of any state. The Southeast was generally a bright spot in this year's count, with strong job growth driven by utility expansion and new manufacturing positions.

More information here:

• Increase in solar employment