In Germany and Taiwan, "economy, efficiency, and scale" appear to be the primary drivers of green energy development policies. Large renewable energy companies are significantly limiting the scope for citizen power plants. In addition to continuously cultivating citizen participation in the energy transition, the government's provision of more institutional safeguards for citizen power plants, such as more flexible regulations for their establishment and streamlined subsidy application procedures, will be crucial for their continued development.
Three keys to the survival of German civilian power plants
To survive, German citizen power plants must first adapt to the increasingly market-oriented trend, for example by engaging in limited collaboration with green power companies and finding their own advantages within the complex bidding and tendering system. They must also work harder to attract new members, including women, the middle class, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Institutional reforms are even more crucial. Most Germans rent long-term, with up to 40% of renters living in the same home for at least 10 years. However, due to numerous regulatory restrictions, renters often face difficulties in installing their own solar panels. With loosened regulations and policy incentives, renters will have greater opportunities to become active participants in citizen-generated power plants.
Meanwhile, citizen groups such as BBEn, BUND, and SFV have also suggested that Germany should establish an energy sharing system. This model allows households with green power generation equipment to sell or transfer excess electricity to neighboring households, making the electricity market more flexible and allowing more citizens, even those without the necessary resources, to participate in green power development, thus forming shared and mutually supportive energy communities.
Taiwan's experience with citizen power plants
Taiwan introduced a bulk purchase system in 2009, hoping to promote the development of renewable energy. In 2017, the Executive Yuan announced amendments to the Electricity Industry Act. Under the principle of "diversified supply," communities, non-profit organizations, and renewable energy companies can establish renewable energy companies to sell electricity. This has led to the development of citizen green electricity platforms, such as the Taiwan Green Power Production Cooperative and Sunvolt.
Taiwan's Green Power Production Cooperatives, similar to the common green power cooperatives in Germany, allow members to invest a small amount in the cooperative and participate in operations and decision-making. They can also provide their own rooftop solar panels. However, these green power cooperatives are not limited to a specific region. An example of a community-based cooperative is the Darumaq Green Energy Co., Ltd. in the Darumaq Tribe of Beinan Township, Taitung. They pool funds to build a local solar power plant.
The "Wangshi/Wangshi Women's Electronic News" pointed out that Taiwan's predominantly centralized residential areas have limited rooftop availability for public power plant members, leading to the mainstream adoption of green energy generation on public buildings. One example is the "Gan Dou Hao" project of the Taipei City Public Power Plant. Through fundraising from civic groups and the public, Gan Dou Hao successfully won a bid to install solar panels on a public rooftop at Guandu Junior High School, and will use a portion of the electricity revenue for energy education.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/234990)
