Photovoltaics as an economic engine

The model used to "rescue" of Greece sounds. It is so simple because of the land of the Hellenes seem very often get the sun. So why not build more solar panels? With the help of nature, the debt could be pressed.

The Greeks can enjoy over 300 sunny days a year. And they also have enough space. Companies like Conergy use it. The German company from Hamburg is pulling up 200 kilometers west of Thessaloniki, a solar power plant. And the Greek Minister of Energy and Environment, Giorgos Papakonstantinou, wants to build in former lignite fields in northern Greece huge solar power systems.

Papakonstantinou recently presented "Helios" project. It is planned to increase annual production to the Greek in 2020 to 2.2 gigawatts and to ten gigawatts by 2050. Under the plan, Greece wants to sell its electricity profitably abroad.

Nevertheless, Greece has produced only 150 megawatts in 2010, almost 50 times less solar power than Germany. 2011 there are at least 300 megawatts. Could be up to the sun's energy into an export success, even it is still a long way. Critics complain that the electricity would be more expensive due to transportation will pass through the cost advantage is lost. And who should pay the billion-dollar expansion of the outdated power grid?