Environmental protection is highly accepted in Germany, starting with the recycling movement in the
1980ies and founding its climax in the second nuclear phase-out coming into law in 2011 after the
disaster of Fukushima fallout. Therefore, Germans are keen to overcome fossil energy: 80 % of the
population thinks that use and development of renewable energy is very important.
Since pellet heating systems were first sold in Germany more than ten years ago, the demand and the
supply has increased steadily. The annual growth rate for pellet boilers installed was between 12 and
58 percent. The turn towards renewable heating is supported by federal and local government which
offer various programmes for financial support and facilitation. The MAP-programme pays at least
2.000 EUR, when a fossil boiler is replaced by a pellet boiler. Also credits at reduced rates of interests
are granted to house owners. Moreover, federal states offer various programmes for renewable
heating. Wood pellets are taxed with only 7 % VAT instead of 19 %.