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All aboard Mission Solar! 2024: Solar For Europe

by Walburga Hemetsberger - 26 January 2024

2024 is a year to watch; with EU elections on the horizon, now is the time to make sure that solar is, and remains, high on the agenda for European policymakers. Solar is the true energy solution of the future, offering the possibility of clean, reliable, affordable energy to all. It’s time to get on board for Mission Solar!

The solar sector has been on an incredible journey the past few years. We have witnessed amazing growth, with a record 56 GW of solar PV installed in Europe in 2023 – that's almost 17 million more European homes powered by the sun.

To ensure that solar continues on this trajectory, and beyond, we have published our #SolarForEurope Manifesto highlighting five priorities for the EU energy agenda in the next five years. Solar for climate, competitiveness, people, energy security, and nature.

However, this journey has not been without challenges. We are currently witnessing a serious situation for European solar manufacturers. We are seeing bankruptcies and factory closures across the continent. It is time for urgent action to support our industry.

SolarPower Europe in in close contact with the European Commission on this matter, and we have set out a number of balanced solutions that would offer immediate relief to the industry. Alongside more than 400 European solar organisations, including manufacturers and research organisations, we have been clear what measures should not be taken – namely trade defence actions. History has shown they do not work, and only offer a lose-lose scenario for European solar.

Another element of ensuring a competitive European solar industry lies in assuring the quality of our solar product – the key theme of our first big event of the year: Solar Quality Summit Europe, which has just come to a close in Barcelona after 2 days of insightful discussions and meaningful exchanges. During the event, we launched our first End-of-Life Best Practice Guidelines, a report setting out recommendations on how to sustainably handle end-of-life (EoL) solar panels, and outlining how solar companies can comply with mandatory requirements.

The conference has set the energy high for the lead up to our flagship event in Brussels, the SolarPower Summit: Mission Solar, taking place in just over a month on 4-5 March. We are delighted to announce a stellar line-up of speakers already confirmed, including European Commission Vice-President and EU Green Deal Chief, Maroš Šefčovič; EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson; Chief of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol; and many more.

We look forward to seeing many of you there, to dive deeper into the main challenges facing our sector, and exchange on key actions needed to deliver a solar-powered Europe.