94,000 new solar jobs in Europe by 2021

11/06/2017 | Print view

Inverter manufacturing at a SMA factory. - © SMA — © SMA

Inverter manufacturing at a SMA factory.

Solar jobs and wealth creation in Europe are set to increase to nearly 175,000 full time jobs and 9,500M value added by 2021, according to a new EY report. It also shows that an increase in ambition for the European Union 2030 renewable energy target from 27% to 35% will result in more than 120,000 new solar jobs alone.

Dominique Ristori, Director-General, European Commission, DG Energy, speaking at the launch event of the report, said: "We want to see solar and clean energy well-developed in Europe, more solar jobs and generated value is key to moving towards a sustainable low-carbon economy."

MEP Butikofer commented "Crucially in the short term, removing solar trade measures currently enforced by DG Trade in the European Commission could give a welcome boost to the European solar industry including new jobs."

MEP Marijana Petir, stated "This surge is only possible if countries increase their solar deployment rate in line with policy requirements to 2020. With the right policies in place this growth could be even greater by 2030. Member States should have the necessary flexibility to boost renewable energy that is available on their territory. With this approach Member states could develop incentives to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and to create new jobs in the most efficient way."

Highest number of new solar jobs in Spain, Greece and Poland

"Our calculations show that Spain will have the highest number of new jobs, with an expected growth of 471% from 2016 to 2021, followed by Greece (+403%), and Poland (+381%)" said EY on their findings for the report.

Christian Westermeier, President of SolarPower Europe said: "The more solar installed the more jobs and economic growth we will see in Europe. We need to remove all barriers to solar starting with withdrawing the trade measures currently in place on solar panels and cells accompanied by a predictable regulatory environment for PV in Europe. EY found that the average PV system price in Europe has decreased by 23% in 2016, compared to 2014, but we know that the price could be even lower if we ended the artificially high tariffs on solar products, which would boost jobs and economic activity in the countries of the EU." (HCN)