Blue strongholds, green skepticism: "Without the rise of the AfD, there could have been substantially more solar installations"

A new study suggests that the rise of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has significantly slowed the adoption of clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels. According to research conducted by Dr. Moritz Wussow, head of the Climate Action Research Lab at the University of Freiburg, the country could have had up to 10,000 more solar installations and 40,000 additional electric cars by 2023 had the AfD not gained political traction since its founding in 2013. This assessment comes amid growing concerns over the pace of Germany’s energy transition, particularly in regions with high AfD support. The study analyzed data from over 10,700 municipalities and compared them against voter preferences in the 2021 federal election. It found that individuals who supported the AfD showed notably less interest in adopting renewable energy solutions compared to supporters of other parties. Specifically, Green Party voters expressed more than three times the interest in purchasing electric vehicles compared to AfD supporters. For solar panel installations, the difference was approximately 50 percent. Despite these findings, Wussow emphasized that economic factors and social environment play crucial roles in determining whether individuals invest in green technology. He noted that even after accounting for variables such as income level, age, gender, and housing situation, AfD supporters consistently demonstrated lower interest in clean energy options. The comparison with other major German parties revealed that supporters of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) sometimes showed higher interest in both electric vehicles and solar panels than Greens voters. Conversely, AfD and the Brandenburg State Election Party (BSW) exhibited low levels of interest. The Christian Democrats (CDU), Social Democrats (SPD), and Left Party fell into the middle range. This disparity raises questions about how political preferences influence the national energy transition. While the AfD has historically opposed wind power expansion and advocated for rolling back existing infrastructure, the study highlights potential untapped opportunities for renewable energy adoption in areas with high AfD support. Meanwhile, the passage of new energy legislation faces delays, creating uncertainty within the sector. The current Renewable Energy Act (EEG) expires at year-end, and the European Commission requires approval by January 1. However, agreement among lawmakers on a revised version has been postponed until the Union and SPD can finalize a common text. Without this approval, funding for new wind and solar projects risks stalling. Critics argue that proposed changes to the EEG, including the removal of subsidies for small rooftop solar systems, could hinder progress toward renewable energy goals. Additionally, discussions around the so-called "network package," which includes provisions for compensation adjustments during forced shutdowns of renewable plants, remain contentious. Some stakeholders advocate for separating the EEG from the network package to expedite the legislative process. They argue that focusing first on securing EU approval for critical elements of the EEG would allow for more thorough deliberation on remaining issues. Others warn that continued delays risk undermining investor confidence and slowing down the transition to cleaner energy sources.