BERLIN, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The German government plans to accelerate the scheduled degression in support for rooftop photovoltaic energy from 2009 and again from 2011 but will also “substantially increase” overall support for renewable energy.

A spokesman for the Environment Ministry in Berlin said the plan to accelerate the degression to seven percent per year from five percent per year currently will be discussed at a meeting of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet on Dec. 5.

“There will be a 7 percent reduction in 2009 and an 8 percent reduction from 2011,” Environment Ministry spokesman Thomas Hagbeck said.

“The photovoltaic industry has developed so well that the support levels can be reduced,” Hagbeck said. “There’s no need for excess support.”

Hagbeck said that overall support for renewable energy would be raised substantially from 2008.