european solar energy on the up

Enough solar energy falls on the earth’s surface in twenty minutes to meet our needs for a year. Exploiting this resource is essential. We can harness the sun’s energy directly for domestic space and water heating, or a proportion of its energy can be converted into electricity using photovoltaic technology. Europe has invested heavily in solar power in the past decade. The data below shows that over the period 1996-2007, the amount of energy generated using the sun’s rays has quadrupled within the European Union.

Recognising the need to secure future energy supplies, Germany has picked up the baton as the solar energy leaders of not only Europe, but the world. Heavy investment in manufacturing and a scheme paying solar panel owners a premium for their electricity has seen its solar energy generation increase by over 800% in 11 years. Maybe we should all migrate to Germany? Just an idea?!