Key trends in this Quarterly Update include: Enacted legislative measures have pulled back support for solar PV and CSP in several markets during Q1 2012. Pending final ratification by the Bundesrat on 11 May 2012, the new scheme excludes plants over 10 MW in size, and renders ground-based projects unviable (31% of 2011 capacity). In contrast to previous years' Q1 slump, Europe's PV demand in Q1 2012 has been shored up by a wave of installations prior to Germany's 1 April 2012 FIT cuts. For the 120 MW of tendered capacity, CRE only received offers for 62 MW, of which 45 MW were deemed eligible. The average price awarded was €0.23/kWh, higher than Q1 tariffs for rooftop systems 36-100 kW (€0.22/kWh).
Key trends in this Quarterly Update include: