The EU solar energy strategy proposed under the REPowerEU plan aims to make solar energy a cornerstone of the EU energy system. Boosting renewable energy is also an important part of the European Green Deal in the context of the green transition towards climate neutrality.
EU measures to boost solar energy include making the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of new buildings obligatory within a specific timeframe, streamlining permitting procedures for renewable energy projects, improving the skills base in the solar sector and boosting the EU's capacity to manufacture photovoltaic panels.
2.9.9 Electricity storage is essential for a net zero energy system, it stores electricity when it is abundant for periods when it is scarce, as well as providing a range of services to help maintain the resilience and stability of the grid.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in 2021 the estimated installed solar PV capacity in the EU was over 158 GW, compared with over 306 GW in China and almost 94 GW in the US. China is currently the world's leader in solar energy production.
This transition towards the decarbonisation of buildings’ energy consumption will be accelerated by introducing an obligation to install solar energy equipment on all new and existing public and commercial buildings above a certain size and on new residential buildings in a gradual fashion, between 2026 and 2029.
Over this decade, the EU will need to install, on average, approximately 45 GW per year. Solar energy systems have long been a low-cost and reliable solution for heating in many European countries 6 but overall solar heat accounts for just around 1.5% of heating needs 7 .