The Germans are not playing around when it comes to renewable energy. Much like Portugal Denmark, and other European countries they are pushing forward with aggressive plans to integrate large amounts of renewables into their energy grids. The fact that these countries are pushing for such high renewable energy targets seems to put to rest the myth that you can not have a large or even majority share of your energy from renewable sources.

from here

In Germany, the renewable energy sector showed impressive growth on all fronts in 2006, reinforcing Germany’s position as the European leader in terms of renewables. And Germany goes further; the environment ministry announced that they will almost double investments in renewable energy in 2007, to € 83 million, and Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) announced plans for a draft law to promote and oblige the use of renewable heating.

In Germany, the share of renewable energy in total energy consumed reached 7.7% in 2006 compared to 6.8% in 2005, according to a report published by the German federal renewable energy association, Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie (BEE). Renewable electricity generation in Germany grew to 71.5 billion kWh in 2006, which represents 11.6% of total German electricity consumption and an increase of 12% compared to the previous year. This 2006 figure is only just below the German renewable electricity target for 2010 of 12%. The main renewable sources for electricity in 2006 were wind and biogas, followed by solar power.