The head of the German Federal Association of Solar Crafts is cautioning that the potential removal of feed-in tariffs for solar energy could trigger insolvencies and job losses within the industry.
Peter Knuth stated in an interview with the “Münchner Merkur” that a concerning number of businesses have already faced insolvency or implemented layoffs and a further wave of dismissals must be avoided. He emphasized the years of work invested in advancing the energy transition and the difficulty of re-attracting skilled workers once they leave the sector.
A key concern for companies in the solar industry is the uncertainty generated by ongoing discussions regarding the support schemes. This hesitation amongst consumers is leading to delays in vital energy projects. Knuth explained that many individuals are postponing investments, awaiting greater clarity on future regulations.
The warning comes after Economic Affairs Minister Katherine Reiche proposed eliminating feed-in tariffs for new privately-owned solar installations. The energy sector views this proposition with concern. Enerix, the company co-founded and managed by Knuth, intends to conduct a protest to highlight the potential threat to employment posed by the Minister’s statements.