As of: July 2010

General information support

Information about all aspects of renewable energies

Do you have any questions on renewable energies, the various technologies, support for renewable energies or are you looking for general information on the topic?

The contacts listed below will be glad to assist you:

Energy hotline:

The energy hotline of the Germany Energy Agency (dena) will answer your questions free of charge 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 08000 736 734 to receive information on wind or solar energy, biomass or support programmes from a team of experts. Information is also available on efficient use of energy with regard to construction and electricity, and on combined heat and power generation. Dena's information portal, which offers information on many different aspects of energy, including renewables, is available at www.thema-energie.de.

BINE information service - support information for private investors:

Take advantage of the online support information offer of the BINE Informationsdienst des Fachinformationszentrum (FIZ) Karlsruhe GmbH. The Internet portal on energy support provides information on the current programmes for your home. Find support programmes suited to your home and your needs. Take advantage of public support in the form of grants or advantageous credit offers. In addition you will find advice on how to apply for support successfully at www.energiefoerderung.info.

Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG):

On 6 May 2010 the German Bundestag adopted the amendment to the EEG. Current information on the EEG is available here.

Support programmes:

If you have any questions about the support programmes below, please contact the respective institution directly.

1. Guidelines on the funding of measures for the use of renewable energies /market incentive programme

The BMU sets out the guidelines on the funding of measures for the use of renewable energies, also referred to as the market incentive programme. The market incentive programme offers the possibility to apply for investment grants (share BAFA) or a long-term low-interest loan including a redemption grant (share KfW).

If you have specific questions about the "Market Incentive Programme for Renewable Energies" regarding the application for an investment grant, please send your inquiry directly to the Federal Office for Economics and Export Control (BAFA) in Eschborn, which also processes and decides on applications.

BAFA will also be able to help you with other questions, for example:

• What measures are funded?
• How do I apply?
• Where can I get application forms?

Please visit the Federal Office's website at www.bafa.de and click on the link Energy and then on Renewable Energies.

If you have any other questions, you may contact the Federal Office by

Phone: 06196 - 908-625
Fax: 06196 - 908-800

or by using the contact form on BAFA's website.

If you have any questions about applying for low-interest loans of the KfW Bankengruppe, please send your inquiry directly to the KfW or any other bank of your choice.

You may also read, download or print out the guidelines here (German only).

Information on funding prerequisites, the application process and funding conditions are also available at the KfW Bankengruppe website.

If you decide to apply for a loan from KfW to finance an investment measure, you may contact any bank of your choice including your local bank.

2. Other support programmes

There are other programmes which support measures for the use of renewable energies.

Information on programmes for investment measures on your home or rented out residential buildings, which also include measures for the use of renewable energies, is available from the KfW Bankengruppe. Information on environmental protection programmes by the KfW Bankengruppe, including support for measures for the use of renewable energies in companies, is available here.

Additional information and advice is provided by the KfW Bankengruppe (sections Service and Contact).

The support data base set up by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology provides information on other support opportunities. It includes all programmes at the national, Länder and EU level. Click here to be redirected to the data base.

Our advice: If you are a private investor or own your own home, you may want to visit the KfW Bankengruppe webpage on Housing Construction. This page will give you an overview and detailed information on programmes to assist you in financing investments in your home.