Denmark Solar Energy Goal Reached 8 Years Early

Adele Peters | 24 September, 2012 | Clean Tech, Climate Change, Solar, Wind

Denmark previously stated plans to install 200 megawatts of solar capacity by 2020 — a goal the country actually reached this year. In fact, solar power demand is growing so quickly that 2020 numbers may be five times bigger than the original plan.

With gray, cloudy Scandinavian winters, Denmark isn’t exactly known for its sunshine. Solar panels, however, still perform well there. Demand has been driven partly by a net metering program set up in 2010. Net metering, which is also available in many places in the United States, gives homeowners credit for extra solar power produced by the panels on their roof. If someone’s away during the day, or is simply using less power than the solar panels are generating, their electric meter will begin to spin backward. At a later point, when the homeowner needs that power, they can access it from the grid without paying for it. That’s an especially good deal in Denmark, which has some of the highest electricity prices in the world.

Danish citizens have an appetite for innovative products, so they’ve been quick to embrace solar power, according to a manager from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Denmark benefits from a strong design tradition and this also characterizes the Danish solar sector in which aesthetics and thinking ahead of user needs is a central part of product development,” said Kim Schultz, from Invest in Denmark. “This means that solar solutions are more likely to meet consumers’ demands.”

Denmark also has other strong renewable energy programs, which have made the existing infrastructure ideally suited for solar power. Wind power has been well developed, especially offshore, and is continuing to grow. Denmark plans to get 50 percent of its electricity from wind power by 2020, and is already over halfway to that goal. By 2050, the country plans to get 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. If Denmark’s solar use is any indication, the country may even reach that ambitious goal there early. This is the kind of leadership we need to fight climate change in time.

Main image credit: Carsten Medom Madsen/Shutterstock

http://www.facebook.com/people/Fiora-Rouge/100000953222154 Fiora Rouge

You gotta love it when you see Solar proving that the future is not about oil. Most people don’t even realize that solar panels themselves are outlasting their projected lifespan of 40 years by an extra 20 years. You put up solar today, and forget about paying for electricity for more than 50 years. Yet there are still closed minds that pretend solar isn’t a good investment. Thankfully many European nations are proving the energy bigots to be foolish detractors of the next big thing.
lynn evans

Congratulations Denmark! You’re leading the way in common sense!! I hope other countries follow your example!!!
Stu

Great work Denmark! Makes me disappointed in my country and others as they drag their feet into the future. I live in Australia, we get lots of sun and have vast areas of uninhabited land. The perfect setup some might say but our politicians are too busy with name calling to do anything.
Henning

The Vikings once again shows initiative and courage

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003479366994 Ole Peder Amrud Hagen

That would not include the Norwegian Vikings, though. We keep sucking up oil at record speeds and the long-awaited era of green energy heralded by the Red-Green coalition government just doesn’t seem to ever come. A huge shame. But bravo, Denmark! Now, if you could apply the same amount of progressiveness to your immigration policies…

Vijay

“This is the kind of leadership we need to fight climate change in time.” Completely in support with this statement. Until leaders ruling the countries don’t take up initiatives its hard for the common man to get excited about something in which the governments do not show any incentive. Solar Energy is the most promising step to make a cleaner environment for all species alike on this planet. The sooner more steps taken into this direction the sooner the climate change slows down.
http://www.facebook.com/EmmaPoppins Em PetitGris

So, they ran the talk… Bravo!