A giant solar installation in Waldpolenz, Germany. [Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org]

Germany nearly doubled the previous year's solar installations with new systems in 2010 totaling more than 7 gigawatts and accounting for approximately half of the world market.

"Germany continues to confirm its standing as the largest photovoltaic market worldwide. With record demand every year and growing markets across Europe, it's not surprising that many of the world's biggest players are located in Germany," saidTobias Homann, Senior Manager for Photovoltaics at Germany Trade & Invest in Berlin.

Currently there are over 17 gigawatts of photovoltaic installations across Germany, or approximately half of all installed solar capacity worldwide. The industry posts an annual turnover of approximately 10 billion Euros and employs over 133,000 workers.

"Companies benefit from an experienced workforce and an outstanding infrastructure of equipment suppliers, component manufacturers, developers, banks and installers. Germany also provides direct access to the world's largest PV markets and first-rate R&D institutes," Homann noted.

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