Our vision for solar in the next 5 years

EU Elections 2024

Solar power is the energy of the future. Soon, solar will be the largest source of electricity in the EU. In 2022, the EU installed more than 40 GW of solar capacity - equivalent to powering 12 million more EU homes. With the right policy action, solar can reach, and even outperform, REPowerEU ambitions for 2025 and beyond. In our manifesto, SolarPower Europe calls for concrete steps, drawing attention to five priorities for the EU energy agenda in the next five years.

5 key benefits

Solar for the climate

1 Solar for the climate

In 2022, solar generated 203 TWh of electricity across the EU, saving 45 MtCO2eq of emissions, and 300 MtCO2eq in total in the last ten years. By 2030, solar could reduce Europe’s emissions by 180 MtCO2eq per year, the equivalent of the current emissions of the Netherlands.

Solar for competitiveness

2 Solar for competitiveness

The world’s clean technology value chains will be worth over €600 billion by 2030. The European solar sector could employ 1 million workers in 2025.

Solar for the people

3 Solar for the people

A solar PV system could save households up to €1250 annually, and up to €1800 with a heat pump, on an average household electricity bill.

Solar for energy security

4 Solar for energy security

Solar saved Europe almost €9 billion in fossil fuel imports in summer 2022. Under EU targets, by 2030, 55 million solar PV panels are set to be manufactured in Europe each year, creating enough capacity to power 9 million more homes annually.

Solar for nature

5 Solar for nature

Nature-positive solar power plants are boosting biodiversity by up to 250%. In the face of growing drought, solar supports farmers in reducing evaporation and water needs by up to 30%. Floating solar protects European reservoirs – it can reduce evaporation by 42%.

Schedule a reminder!

Check out the together.eu website for information on when and how to vote in the upcoming EU elections, schedule a reminder and download a selection on communications materials to support the #UseYourVote campaign.

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10 actions for Solar Power to deliver

Accelerate solar PV deployment

1171

Deliver 2030 targets, in particular by aligning EU financial instruments with climate and energy goals, including a new Green Investment Plan as part of the next EU budget post-2027

1172

Land 2040 targets early-on to give visibility and confidence to investors

Improve solar PV integration in highly electrified energy systems

1173

Propose a new EU Electrification Action Plan, including legislative action on grids, hybrid renewables, prosumers and cybersecurity

1174

Propose a new EU Skills for the Energy Transition strategy

Promote solar solutions in harmony with the environment

1175

Land an urban renewables strategy with cities and communities

1176

Land a rural renewables strategy for ground-mounted and agri-PV with land owners and agriculture constituencies

1177

Embark on an EU-wide renewables communications campaign to ensure public support for the energy transition

Build up diverse and sustainable solar PV supply chains

1178

Substantially increase support for reshoring solar supply chains to Europe

1179

Embark on multiple international partnerships on solar supply chains and raw materials, leveraging the Global Gateway Initiative

Secure EU’s leadership on solar PV innovation by expanding R&I funding

1180

Double R&I funding for innovation in PV, via programmes including Horizon Europe and the European Innovation Council

Watch how solar benefits Europeans

On the subject

Insight

Policycast: How can solar thrive in a new EU?

Insight

Policycast: How can the EU deliver the right conditions for solar?

Insight

Policycast: How can solar’s success continue into the next EU mandate?

Story

Analysis: What do the EU Elections Manifestos have to say about energy?

Solar Saves

Solar powered community centre in Sofia

Solar Saves

Solar powered farm in Cork

Solar Saves

Solar saves in Croatia

Solar Saves

Balcony solar in Berlin

Solar Saves

Solar energy community in Portugal

Solar Saves

Solar powered house near Budapest

Solar Saves

Solar on Belgium social housing

Video

Solar is making farming more sustainable: Using the sun in more ways than one

Download the Solar for Europe Manifesto

Through this manifesto, SolarPower Europe calls on concrete steps and draws attention to the five priorities for the European Union energy agenda in the next five years.

Download the Solar for Europe Manifesto

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