AEI followers will have picked up how many alternative energy stocks are based in Germany. So the level of political support there is of huge importance.

Prior to Germany's recent election, there had been fears within the country's renewable sector of huge cutbacks to its Renewables Programme.

Yet in a deal reached last Friday, it has been agreed that nothing will change until at least 2008.

Still, coalition governments between the 2 main parties in Germany do not have a habit of lasting a long time.

This is something to keep an eye on.