Germany has managed to create a resilient industry in a forward looking policy arena and technology sector that "does well by doing good": Renewables created at least 300,000 jobs according to the official statistics. In reality, the numbers are almost certainly higher. Renewables can create income in many more ways than traditional energy systems, and give jobs to many more people per unit of energy used. In addition, they are good for the environment and improve energy security: all renewables are local.

This policy paper analyzes the succes of the German renewables industry and discusses which of the lessons learned could be applied to the U.S. states of Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. In cooperation with the Blue Green Alliance the paper will be released during the Midwestern Green Jobs Tour from July 12-16. The tour will feature discussions with Ms. Christine Wörlen, the paper's author and former Head of the Renewable Energy Division of the German Energy Agency dena, as well as Aaron Peterson, Vice President for Business and Project Development at juwi Prairie Wind Power LLC.

Click here for the full publication (16 pages, pdf, 940KB)