Solar sector needs defense to German cuts: EPIA

Europe's solar industry should prepare to defend its lucrative market in Germany without becoming protectionist as incentive cuts loom there, the head of the world's largest photovoltaic industry association said.

Feed-in tariffs --the prices utilities have to pay generators of renewable energy -- are reduced annually in Germany. However, the government said last month it would make additional one-off cuts in April and July, arguing the sector was still overly subsidized.

"Overall, protectionist measures should not be considered. It usually does not improve the situation. But when you are building an industry with money from electricity consumers, as is the case in Germany, you should at least think about some options," Winfried Hoffmann, president of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), told Reuters in an interview.

For further information: Reuters