Traffic light parliamentary groups negotiate state support for solar industry

The SPD, Greens and FDP parliamentary groups in the "traffic light" coalition are wrestling over possible state support for the domestic solar industry. Negotiations are continuing at the level of the deputy parliamentary group leaders, SPD parliamentary group vice-chairman Matthias Miersch told the German Press Agency in Berlin on Monday. "The talks also include the resilience bonus, with which domestic production is to be financially supported, similar to other key technologies."

The FDP rejects such support, which is met with opposition from the Greens in particular. The background to this is that fewer and fewer solar modules are being manufactured in Europe, partly because China and the USA are specifically promoting the establishment of such factories.

From the Greens' point of view, the package should have been adopted long ago, explained parliamentary group deputy leader Julia Verlinden. "We hope that everyone in the coalition will now finally clear the way for the law." They are committed to green jobs in Saxony, among other places, where the wind and solar industries have great potential. "I believe it is necessary to find a solution to support local production in a targeted manner and thus strengthen independence and resilience." She emphasized: "Anyone who wants to preserve jobs in Saxony should not put the brakes on here."

On Sunday, Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) declared the promotion of domestic production to be unnecessary. Solar modules are also available on the global market. "This is not a high-tech technology," Lindner emphasized. If he were to promote individual sectors with taxpayers' money, this would have no effect on the security of the business location or the success of the energy transition. Reinhard Houben, economic policy spokesperson for the FDP parliamentary group, told ARD's main studio in Berlin: "The resilience bonus will not happen."

In addition to the controversial issue of a possible subsidy for domestic production, the solar package is intended to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for the expansion of solar energy in Germany and thus drive the expansion forward. The operation of balcony power plants and the use of self-generated photovoltaic electricity in apartment buildings should become easier. The possibilities for solar systems on fields and farmland are also to be expanded.