This week, several German firms announced the biggest investment ever for renewable energies. They aim to attract 400 billion euros to generate solar electricity for Europe in sunny Africa. The idea sounds convincing. But is it thoroughly thought-out?

In Germany, there are 20 million buildings on which solar electricity could be generated. Why then make a detour via Africa? Of course, it is right that there is more sunshine in Africa. But is it also right that around 15 % of the electricity gets lost in long transmission lines and that a lot of money has to be paid for transport?

 

On the surfaces of roofs and facades available today, 70 % of solar electricity can be generated in big cities, in villages even 100 %. In only 4 years, solar electricity in Germany won't cost more than conventionally generated electricity. Electricity generated in CSP plants (concentrating solar power) will get more expensive in Germany and will be 10 to 20 years long in coming. Photovoltaic plants however, could be installed on local roofs immediately. Why then should huge numbers of local roofs stand around in vain while we transport our electricity more than 3,000 km to Germany at high costs? Why being so complicated when it can be done easily? Why wander around in the distance, when good things lie nearby?

 

The advantage of electricity generated in large solar thermal power plants is, of course, that it can be stored and used also at night, when the Sun doesn't shine. This technology has already been tested in Spain and California and it makes sense in order to generate electricity for megacities like Cairo and Alexandria, Tunis and Algier. But in Central Europe the storage problem can be solved easier and faster by a mix of all renewable energy sources than in long transits. The wind often blows when the sun is not shining and geothermal energy, biomass and waterpower can also compensate the lack of sunlight. Of course, the winners of this decentrally organised energy turnaround are not the few old energy providers but millions of house owners, hundreds of thousands of farmers, craftsmen and medium enterprises.

 

A big problem of a safe energy supply is the dependency on foreign countries. And nothing is going to change when we slide from one dependency into the next. Safe energy supply can only succeed by the guiding principle „From the region for the region“ as more than 100 German municipalities and districts have announced this week.

© Franz Alt 2009