Last January a new funding regulation for small cogeneration plants bis 20 kW_el became effective in Germany; The first installed kW of electric power will be subsidised with 1.900 €, with 300 per kW on top for each up to 4 kW_el. On top of this basic support there is also a bonus system; the bonus feature „Heat Efficiency“ supports hydraulic equalization and heating value use with 25 % of the basic funding. The bonus feature „Electric Efficiency“ is granted for devices up to 4 kW_el with an electrical efficiency above 31 %. Only fuel cells can do this in this class. The extra funding is 60 % of the basic funding. The bonus features „Heat Efficiency“ and „Power Efficiency“ can be combined. In case of fuel cells this funding can be combied with other programs up to three times the basic funding. The funding rules were published by the Federal Agency for Economy and Export Control (Bafa). More information on the funding scheme you can find here.

Germany is the largest energy market in Europe and forms the backbone of the continent’s electricity and gas networks. Electricity generation is largely based on coal and nuclear power plants, although this is changing. The use of natural gas is increasingly common; with an 11% share of total electricity generation in 2006, 1 renewable electricity is growing even more rapidly.This has created a more balanced energy supply, a trend that looks likely to continue. Households consume 29% of the final energy inGermany; of this, 89% is used for heating and hot water generation. (Happy first FC unit customers: foto Baxi)