Renewable heating law in Germany: solar - an option among others
Submitted by Baerbel Epp on August 30, 2008With the Renewable Heating Law (EEWärmeG) the German government aims at increasing the share of renewable energy in the heating demand from 6 to 14 % until 2020. From 1 January, 2009 on owners and operators of private, commercial and public buildings will have to provide a minimum share of their energy demand by renewable energy. They can choose between solar thermal energy, biomass, geothermic and environmental energy.
When using solar thermal energy, at least 15 % of the total heating demand must come from solar energy. Heating demand includes the energy used for domestic water heating, space heating and cooling. There is no obligation in this law to use renewable energy in existing buildings or to include such installations when buildings are renovated.
To push the use of renewable energy for heating the German government will provide up to € 500 million in its market stimulation programme from 2009 on.
This article was written by Ina Röpcke, a German journalist and solar thermal expert.
Country
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Germany
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Name
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Renewable Heating Law In German: Erneuerbare-Energien-Wärme-Gesetz (EEWärmeG)
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Goal
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Latest in the year 2020 14 % of the energy used for heating in Germany shall be generated from renewable energy (solar energy, biomass, geothermic and environmental heat).
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Date when law passed
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June 2008 |
Date when law will come into effect
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1 January, 2009
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Target group |
newly-built residential, commercial and public buildings
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Special requirements |
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Exceptions
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Instead of using solar thermal energy, biomass, geothermic or environmental heat owners of buildings may:
Exemptions from the obligatory use of renewable energy or the possibilities mentioned above are possible if
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Last review of this tabloid
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27 August, 2008 |
Further information
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Contact
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