Germany is one of the world's top photovoltaics installers, with a solar PV capacity as of 2011 of almost 25 gigawatts (GW). As of 31st on October 2012, there were 31.62 GW of photovoltaics connected to the electrical power network. The German solar PV industry installed about 7.5 GW in 2011, and solar PV provided 18 TWh (billion kilowatt-hours) of electricity in 2011, about 3% of total electricity. Some market analysts expect this could reach 25 percent by 2050.
... On midday of Saturday May 26, 2012, solar energy provided over 40% of total electricity consumption in Germany, and 20% for the 24h-day... Solar power in Germany has been growing considerably due to the country's feed-in tariffs for renewable energy which were introduced by the German Renewable Energy Act. Prices of PV systems have decreased more than 50% in 5 years since 2006.
...A feed-in tariff is the most effective means of developing solar power.[14] It is the same as a power purchase agreement, but is at a much higher rate. As the industry matures, it is reduced and becomes the same as a power purchase agreement. A feed-in tariff allows investors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Germany
While Germany (Known for it's sunny climate!) has become the world leader in photovoltaics the US has been carrying out the PNAC plan.
Compare the photo above to our base in Kosovo (PNAC 1999):
Camp Bondsteel
If the US Gov wanted energy independence it would have started a serious program in the 70's, or the 80's, or the 90's OR IT WOULD START one now.
Obama can't even keep his promise to put solar panels onto the white house FFS.