Christian Westermeier, President of SolarPower Europe stated: “We need to boost domestic demand for solar so at least 20% of Europe’s electricity demand is powered by solar by 2030. To do this, we must set ambitious targets for the deployment of rooftop installations in Europe to a minimum 30 million solar roofs by 2030. We have to remove barriers to utility-scale solar in Europe by eliminating limitations on plant sizes where they currently exist and allowing direct access to the transmission, not only the distribution grid. The EU must look to boost the market uptake of innovative solar technologies that Europe is currently a frontrunner in, such as building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and floating solar. We should also continue to explore the contribution of solar beyond the power sector, through solar-based sector coupling.”
Secure private investments
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe said: “To ensure a globally competitive solar PV supply chain in Europe, the EU must support its unique R&D ecosystem and develop an ambitious investment plan for the uptake of a cutting-edge solar industry in Europe. This means mobilising EU funding instruments such as InvestEU to secure private investments in manufacturing, development and innovation.”
Support the market uptake of state-of-the art solar technologies
Aurélie Beauvais, Policy Director of SolarPower Europe commented: “SolarPower Europe’s Industrial Strategy Task Force has been working actively to enhance business opportunities for a globally competitive solar industry in Europe. EU policymakers now need to put in place an overarching strategy to promote the growth of the solar industry in Europe and make the most of its industrial value. The Clean Energy Industrial Forum, established in 2017, must help develop a meaningful supply side industrial policy for solar and support the market uptake of Europe’s state-of-the art solar technologies.”
SolarPower Europe’s paper ‘A practical supply side industrial policy for solar in Europe’ will be presented at the European Commission’s Clean Energy Industrial Forum on 18 March 2019. (HCN)
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More useful information:
https://www.pveurope.eu/News/Markets-Money/European-solar-optimism
https://www.pveurope.eu/News/Markets-Money/Breakthrough-moment-for-solar-in-Europe
https://www.pveurope.eu/solar-modules/initiative-strong-european-solar-industry
