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Read in this issue:
"China is overtaking Germany" - says Hélène Pelosse, director of IRENA
Made in China - Yingli Green Energy, a solar giant marching to the top
Do wind turbines only live 20 years? - Oldies but Goodies doing longer.
Ecuador - Phasing out the phase-out
Energy news
6| News: France lowers subsidies, Micronesia vs. big coal, wind energy booms, and billions for solar power in Africa.
17| Events
18| EREC:
NER300 - just subsidies? IRENA starts, six countries overachieve 2020 targets, and Buildings for a Green Future.
_Energy politics
22| Comissioners
Energy, environment, climate: The new commissioners-designate in these key departments faced their critics in Brussels.
26| The wrong choice
The expectations that Europeans have about the switch to renewables depend on a decision. Do we see the fututre as something we can shape, or is it simply the result of the past?
30| Rates to be cut
Starting in April, Germany´s environment minister Norbert Röttgen intends to slash the feed-in tariffs for solar power. The solar sector hopes it can still prevent the cuts.
COVER STORY
32| Shame on you
While a decision about climate protection was postponed at the conference in Copenhagen, researchers were finishing up a new study. They found that global warming is taking place even faster than previously assumed.
38| Last exit Mexico
The next world climate change conference is scheduled for late 2010 in Mexico. Some hope that participants will be able to draw some conclusions from Copenhagen.
40| 2010 at the crossroads
80 percent carbon reduction, 100 percent renewables - it´s all possible. A large number of studies have shown how it works. You only need the political will.
_Country markets
46| Planning the unplannable
Spanish grid operator REE manages more than 20,000 megawatts of renewable power. In a few years, that figure will have doubled. A challenge.
50| Revolution or evolution?
At present, India´s total solar power is less than 100 megawatts. But that is expected to change. The plan is to install 50 gigawatts by 2030 and no less than 100 gigawatts by 2050.
54| Phasing out the phase-out
In Ecuador, an ambitious climate protection project failed because of oil policy.
56| Coming home
A lot of manufacturers want to get back into the German wind market. Market data for 2009.
61| The new champion
China has taken the global lead in newly installed wind capacity. The preliminary estimate is 14 gigawatts in2009.
_Business
62| Seeking less-affected funds
Benture capital and private equity investors are once again ramping up their early-stage engagements in renewables.
66| Made in China
Aingli Green Energy is already the sixth largest photovoltaics firm in the world. The Chinese are now looking to take ehe lead.
68| "Optimally positioned"
Yingli CEO Liansheng Miao describes his company.
_Wind power
72| Oldies but goodies
The service life of wind rurbines is estimated at 20 years, but it can be longer.
_Solar power
76| The copper-capable?
In Asia, a CIGS thin film module plant with a capacity of 30 megwatts is being built - the first turnkey plant for copper-based modules.
_Bio power
82| How we use biogas
Convert it into electric energy, burn it, or fuel vehicles? There are many ways to use biogas, but not all of them are efficient. Feed-in rates or access to the heating market?
94| Company directory
98| Addresses