Reply #12: A phase out not an abrupt cutoff in my view

[txlibdem]

The FIT for solar installs on vacant land have already been curtailed. Reductions of 16% and 11% on residential and ex-army bases respectively have been proposed.

I got the impression that the FIT would be phased out over time. I could be wrong but it seems to make sense. The sole purpose of the FIT is to help citizens get solar power despite the high cost. Yet some say that the subsidies have actually caused solar panel prices to go up, exactly the opposite of their intended effect. Some in the German parliament believe that solar is "over-subsidized" already. In addition, there is concern that the solar panels are not performing as expected. Taken as a whole that gives me the impression that the FIT is on its way out.

"The move raises the slim prospect that the cuts, which include a 16 per cent cut to feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar panels and an 11 per cent cut in incentives for solar installations on so-called conversion sites, could be scaled back.

However, the government is set to maintain that the recent fall in the price of solar panels means that the sector has now become over-subsidised."

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/226418...

http://snipurl.com/19ggzd

"Under the proposed cuts, feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar panels would be cut by 16 per cent, while incentives for solar installations on so-called conversion sites would be cut by 11 per cent, and feed-in tariff payments for new solar sites on agricultural land would be axed.

The government maintains that the cuts are necessary as the falling price of solar panels means the sector has become oversubsidised."

http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/226491...

http://snipurl.com/19gi4j