Germany presently houses 800 MW of PV capacity, some 80% of all EU solar cells. The Netherlands are runner-up with almost 50 MW, although the growth in 2004 in Luxemburg and Spain was greater. One out of every two solar cells was produced in Japan.

Two of the most successful countries in 2004, Germany and Spain, both have a favourable feed in tariff for power produced by solar cells. However, in some countries (Netherlands, Luxemburg, Austria) conditions for new PV capacity became less favourable.

In a study the Deutsche Bank research department calls the solar industry a booming business. DB foresees a continuing growth of PV with 30% a year, while the solar thermal market grows with 10 to 20% a year. DB predicts that power from large solar thermal works in sunny regions will reach a price of 5 to 7 eurocent per kilowatt-hour within 15 to 20 years.

More information at EurOberver and DB research (in German).