Press releases - SolarPower Europe

8 June 2023

Statement: Electricity Market Revision Compromise Draft REV4

SolarPower Europe has issued the following statement on the circulated REV4 of the compromise draft on the Electricity Market Revision.

8 June 2023

Q&A: How is Belgium transforming old solar panels into next-generation batteries, for the future of e-mobility?

A Q&A explaining how Belgian researchers are exploring the benefits of silicon in the development of new, higher energy-density, batteries technologies, which would allow electric vehicles to be recharged quickly, and travel further.

7 June 2023

Statement: Solar, nature's best friend

SolarPower Europe has issued the following statement on the EU's Nature Restoration Law.

6 June 2023

Statement: Commission Report on Market Revenue Cap

SolarPower Europe has published a statement following the European Commission report reviewing emergency interventions to address high energy prices.

31 May 2023

Statement: EU-US Trade and Technology Council

SolarPower Europe has published a statement, following the EU-US Trade and Technology Council's meeting in Brussels on May 30th and 31st.

30 May 2023

New EU27 Country Level Solar Target Database

SolarPower Europe has launched a National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) database.

17 May 2023

Flagship Solar Supply Chain Sustainability Initiative Launches Public Consultation

SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK's Solar Stewardship Initiative, has launched its public consultation.

16 May 2023

Statement: EU Electricity Market Design Update

SolarPower Europe has published a statement following Nicolás González Casares MEP's submission of amendments, to the European Commission's proposal to revise the EU Electricity Market Design.

5 May 2023

Energy Storage Coalition launched - more flexibility to help decarbonise Europe

The launch event of the new Energy Storage Coalition attracts 150+ participants in Brussels

6 April 2023

SolarPower Europe elects new Board members

At SolarPower Europe’s annual general meeting, elections were held to appoint key members of the Board, including the President, two Vice-President positions, and two members of the Board of Directors.

30 March 2023

Statement: EU reach provisional deal on 45% renewables

Overnight, EU negotiators agreed to set a binding 42.5% renewable target for Europe for 2030, with a further 2.5% indicative target.

21 March 2023

Pact for Skills: Launch of large-scale renewable energy skills partnership

Renewable energy trade associations and representatives of installers of clean technologies, with the support of the European Commission, have set up a large-scale skills partnership for the renewable energy industrial ecosystem.

16 March 2023

Statement: Net-Zero Industry Act Publication

As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, the European Commission published the Net-Zero Industry Act. The Act aims to support the manufacturing of clean energy technologies in Europe, including solar PV.

14 March 2023

Statement: EU Electricity Market Design

SolarPower Europe has published its reaction to the Commisison's proposal to reform the EU’s electricity market design.

14 March 2023

Statement: European Parliament votes in favour of Solar Rooftops

SolarPower Europe has published a reaction to the European Parliament's adoption of the European Performance of Buildings Directive.

10 March 2023

Solar Excellence Shines Through: Solar Start-Up Award 2023

Enernite were awarded the Solar Start-Up Award 2023 for their efforts to make it faster and easier for developers to plan and build solar farms.

9 March 2023

New report: Solar PV + Heat Pump combos saved Europeans up to 84% on household energy bills in 2022

SolarPower Europe launches its 'Solar Powers Heat 2023' report revealing how solar PV and heat pumps empower households to reduce gas use and save on energy bills.

13 February 2023

Statement: Delegated Act on Additionality

The European Commission has published its long-anticipated Delegated Act on additionality which sets rules for the deployment of renewable hydrogen projects.

10 February 2023

Statement: EU Council 9 February

European leaders made a number of decisions setting the direction for travel on the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

9 February 2023

Statement: European Parliament votes on Renewable Hydrogen & Solar Rooftops

SolarPower Europe has published a reaction to the European Parliament's ITRE Committee votes on the Gas Package and the European Performance of Buildings Directive.

1 February 2023

Statement: EU Commission publishes Green Deal Industrial Plan

SolarPower Europe has published a reaction to the European Commission communication on the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan.

31 January 2023

Statement: Position Paper Green Deal Industrial Plan

SolarPower Europe has published a position paper on the forthcoming publication of an European Commission communication on the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan.

30 January 2023

Statement: EU Electricity Market Design

SolarPower Europe has published a position paper on EU Electricity Market Design.

27 January 2023

SolarPower Europe Director Announced as new Chair of Global Solar Council

SolarPower Europe’s Director of Global Affairs, Máté Heisz, takes over as chair of the Global Solar Council as announced at the 13th IRENA General Assembly in Abu Dhabi.

25 January 2023

SolarPower Europe launches industry-leading solar digital best practices platform

SolarPower Europe launches industry-leading Solar Best Practices Platform to award quality badges to solar project developers.

17 January 2023

Statement: Green Deal Industrial Plan

SolarPower Europe's response to European Commission President von der Leyen's speech on the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

13 January 2023

Statement: Spanish non-paper on electricity market functioning

SolarPower Europe's response to the non-paper from the Spanish government on electricity market functioning.

20 December 2022

Landmark emergency EU law to support rapid solar installations

The EU adopts an emergency law to address the calls from its citizens and industries for a structural, renewable-based, solution to the energy crisis. Meanwhile, EU Energy Ministers were unable to agree a higher, 45% renewables target for Europe for 2030.

19 December 2022

New report reveals EU solar power soars by almost 50% in 2022

SolarPower Europe’s annual progress report for solar power reveals that the EU installed 41.4 GW of solar in 2022, up 47% from the 28.1 GW installed in 2021.

16 December 2022

Statement: European leaders decision on a renewables industrial policy

SolarPower Europe's reaction to the European Council agreement on an ambitious European industrial policy for renewables.

14 December 2022

Statement: European Parliament Renewable Permitting Vote

SolarPower Europe's reaction to the European Parliament position on permitting procedures for renewable projects.

13 December 2022

Statement: EU Energy Council 13 December

Gas price cap discussions hold back emergency renewable legislation.

9 December 2022

New EU effort to build enough solar panels to power 9 million homes a year

To ensure we have solar panels to power energy security plans, the EU has launched the European Solar PV Industry Alliance as a funnel for solar manufacturing financing. Now industry needs a dedicated solar fund to flow into this new funnel.

7 December 2022

New analysis reveals over 1 million European homes are solar battery-powered

Our latest figures on home batteries installed in European homes – which are used to support rooftop solar PV systems – demonstrate a clear trend of consumers seeking protection from high electricity prices.

5 December 2022

Leading Environment, Climate, and Nature Groups unite with solar sector in common call for sustainable solar acceleration

Birdlife Europe and Central Asia, CEE Bankwatch Network, CAN Europe, the European Environmental Bureau, Euronatur, and SolarPower Europe have published a joint statement on the acceleration of sustainable solar.

1 December 2022

SolarPower Europe launches first ever online solar recruitment platform

SolarPower Europe launched the #SolarWorks Platform, the first online recruitment tool dedicated to solar, during the first annual virtual #SolarWorksFair.

28 November 2022

SolarPower Europe publishes new Vietnam solar investment report

Today, during the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) in Ho Chi Minh City, SolarPower Europe launched its solar investment opportunities report for Vietnam.

25 November 2022

SolarPower Europe And E.DSO Join Forces To Call For A Stronger European Distribution Grid

E.DSO and SolarPower Europe have issued a joint statement calling for emergency measures to facilitate grid connection and integration of solar generation for coming winters.

24 November 2022

EU Energy Ministers take critical step, but fail to rubber stamp emergency renewable law

EU Energy Ministers have, in principle, agreed to adopt emergency legislation to accelerate the roll out of renewables to tackle the energy crisis. While Ministers were expected to make a formal decision, today’s informal agreement paves the way for full adoption of the Regulation next month.

14 November 2022

MEPs vote to include REPowerEU measures in national recovery plans

On 10 November, the European Parliament voted to adopt their position on the inclusion of REPowerEU measures in the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), an EU funding mechanism.

10 November 2022

EU proposes Emergency Legislation to accelerate renewable deployment

To address sky high energy bills, yesterday the European Commission has proposed emergency regulation to speed up the roll-out of renewables. This follows the request of European leaders on 20th October for the Commission to put forward such a measure.

31 October 2022

SolarPower Europe extremely concerned by Commission proposals on Electricity Market measures

SolarPower Europe issues letter to European Council and Commission to express concerns around the Commission non-paper on electricity market interventions.

28 October 2022

MEPs vote on Financing a Renewable Recovery and Accelerating Project Permitting

Key European Parliament Committee votes took place on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), an EU funding mechanism. While not the final stage of the legislative process, the votes act as critical steps in the revision of key EU renewable energy laws.

27 October 2022

SolarPower Europe launches a biodiversity and land-use toolbox for utility scale solar

Co-authored by Birdlife, this new toolbox for the solar sector offers guidance on identifying suitable land for solar deployment, and the potential environmental opportunities and challenges of utility-scale solar projects.

26 October 2022

EU Energy Ministers discuss electricity market interventions, ambition on solar buildings falls short of necessary action

EU Energy Ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss the energy crisis, with the agenda covering the latest EU emergency measures in the electricity market intervention, and upcoming legislation on decarbonising Europe’s buildings.

21 October 2022

SolarPower Europe Statement: European Council Conclusions aimed at Boosting Renewables

SolarPower Europe's statement following European leaders' request to the European Commission to develop an emergency measure package for renewable deployment.

19 October 2022

18 organisations behind cross-sector call for an ambitious EU solar mandate to secure climate and energy security

In a joint letter, 18 organisations from across the economy, including NGOs and city representatives, the construction, EV, and renewable heating sectors, and flexibility service providers, as well as solar PV and solar thermal industries, call on EU Energy Ministers and the European Parliament to support an ambitious EU solar mandate.

19 October 2022

SolarPower Europe publishes new Tunisia solar investment report

Today, during the Salon International de la Transition Energétique in Tunis, SolarPower Europe launches the second edition of its solar investment opportunities report for Tunisia.

12 October 2022

Newly Elected Chairs of the European Technology & Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics

Elections in Brussels see Rutger Schlatmann become the new Chair of the European Technology & Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV), with David Moser and Jutta Trube as Vice-Chairs.

11 October 2022

13 Solar CEOs call on the EU Commission to urgently support European solar PV manufacturing

In an open letter, 13 CEOs of leading European solar organisations urge the European Commission to take bold action to boost investment in Europe’s solar PV industrial base, in order to reinforce the Commission’s solar deployment and energy security ambitions.

11 October 2022

SolarPower Europe welcomes new European Commission Solar PV Industry Alliance

Today the European Commission has formally endorsed a new Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance, with the aim of scaling up manufacturing technologies of innovative solar photovoltaic products and components, to reach 30 Gigawatt of annual solar energy manufacturing capacity by 2025 across the full PV value chain.

6 October 2022

European businesses want to source renewables to tackle energy crisis; but emergency measures risk threatening PPA market

In the midst of Europe’s energy crisis, caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its subsequent cuts of gas exports to Europe, the RE-Source 2022 event started today. Organised by the RE-Source Platform, Europe’s largest corporate renewable electricity sourcing event will gather 1,000 key players in Amsterdam to exchange on renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

4 October 2022

Solar Industry unites behind Supply Chain Sustainability Initiative

SolarPower Europe and Solar Energy UK launch the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), setting out the solar industry’s concrete plan to reinforce a responsible, transparent, and sustainable solar value chain.

30 September 2022

SolarPower Europe Statement following Extraordinary Energy Council

Today, the Energy Council has discussed the energy price crisis and adopted a Council Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. We take note of the Regulation’s provisions to cap market revenues on inframarginal generation technologies but are deeply concerned about patchwork implementation.

29 September 2022

Turning solutions towards the Energy Crisis' Root Cause

Europe risks becoming lost in the treatment of the symptoms of the energy crisis, and not the cause. We cannot lose sight of the key structural solution to the crisis – renewable energy.

26 September 2022

Relaunch of the European platform for solar PV innovation

As the 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion takes place in Milan, Italy, the ETIP PV, dedicated to supporting the solar PV sectors role in the EU SET-Plan.

21 September 2022

SolarPower Europe study reveals critical skills bottleneck in installing Europe’s solar energy needs

SolarPower Europe's latest EU Solar Job Report reveals 2021 solar employment figures. Forecasts predict that without political support, the EU will risk falling short of the workers needed to deliver its solar targets.

14 September 2022

European Parliament officially adopts 45% renewable target for Europe but creates uncertainty around renewable hydrogen

In line with SolarPower Europe’s ‘Yes to 45% RES’ campaign, during plenary session in Strasbourg MEPs voted to officially adopt a 45% renewable energy target for Europe for 2030 within the Renewable Energy Directive. Hovever, a key vote on renewable hydrogen sets an uncertain course.

7 September 2022

Europe’s Renewables & Raw Materials Associations Unite with Cities & Academics Behind a 45% European Renewables Target for 2030% Renewable Target by 2030 for Europe

Europe’s Leading Renewables and Raw Materials Associations Unite with Cities and Academics Behind a 45% Renewable Target by 2030 for Europe’s People, Security, and Climate

20 July 2022

EU solar set to save additional 4.6 BCM gas in 2022

As the European Commission launches its solidarity action to reduce gas consumption this winter, SolarPower Europe reveals the bloc is set to exceed even the highest projections of solar power generation in 2022. Around 39 GW of additional EU solar will be rolled-out before the end of the year, equivalent to 4.6 BCM of Russian gas.

13 July 2022

ITRE takes bold and necessary action to support innovative renewable energy technology

The renewable energy sector calls on EU Member States to support the creation of an installation target for innovative renewable energy in the Renewable Energy Directive.

13 July 2022

Key European Parliament Committee says Yes to 45% RES!

The European Parliament committee leading on the Renewable Energy Directive has adopted an EU-wide 45% renewables target for 2030, in line with SolarPower Europe’s ‘Yes to 45% RES!’ campaign.

4 July 2022

European Commission & renewables associations unite for a renewable reconstruction of Ukraine

Following a roundtable event discussion with EU Energy Commission Kadri Simson and Minister for Energy for Ukraine, German Galushchenko, European & Ukrainian renewables Associations issue joint statement on the renewable reconstruction of Ukraine.

29 June 2022

Q&A: Solar Industry prepares for EU Innovation Fund launch

Ahead of the 3rd large-scale Innovation Fund launch in Autumn, which includes a REPowerEU thematic window on clean energy manufacturing, SolarPower Europe hosted a workshop with DG CLIMA and the renewables community.

24 June 2022

SolarPower Europe partners with RenewAfrica and AFSIA

SolarPower Europe is partnering with RenewAfrica, and the Africa Solar Industry Association to deliver an investment summit for renewables in Africa.

9 June 2022

SolarPower Europe and NSEFI join forces for new solar deployment guidelines for India

Supported by the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership, the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and SolarPower Europe have jointly published landmark best practice guidelines for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of solar projects in India

31 May 2022

SolarPower Europe and Intersolar Europe take their partnership to the next level

Following more than a decade of fruitful partnership, SolarPower Europe and Intersolar Europe sign a new agreement to reaffirm their joint commitment to support Europe’s massive solar expansion

18 May 2022

Landmark EU Solar Strategy: SolarPower Europe Response

A new dawn for European solar as the European Commission substantially increases 2030 solar targets to 750 GWdc, recognising solar’s central role in delivering for Europe’s security, economic, and climate goals.

10 May 2022

World Installs a Record 168 GW of Solar Power in 2021, enters Solar Terawatt Age

SolarPower Europe’s flagship Global Market Outlook for Solar Power finds that, for the 9th consecutive year, global solar power has broken its annual installation record with 168 GW of new solar PV capacity in 2021. In 2022, global solar is expected to continue the decade-long record-breaking streak, installing more than 200 GW of solar for the first time.

5 May 2022

Five EU member states join call for 1 TW of European solar by 2030

Energy Ministers from Austria, Belgium, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Spain have signed a letter to the European Commission asking for higher EU solar ambition – including at least 1 TW EU solar by 2030.

2 May 2022

European Energy Sector calls on the EU to safeguard the benefits of the Internal Energy Market

Five European Energy Associations have co-signed a letter to the European Commission asking decision makers to avoid harmful short-term interventionist measures in the market.

1 April 2022

Solar Excellence Shines Through: Solar Sustainability Award 2022

At the conclusion of the SolarPower Summit 2022, participants took time to celebrate solar excellence through SolarPower Europe’s awards for outstanding contribution to the sector in the area of sustainability.

1 April 2022

Solar Excellence Shines Through: Solar Start-Up Award 2022

At the conclusion of the SolarPower Summit 2022, participants took time to celebrate solar excellence through SolarPower Europe’s awards for outstanding contribution to the sector in the area of innovation.

1 April 2022

Solar Excellence Shines Through: Solar Diversity Champion Award 2022

At the conclusion of the SolarPower Summit 2022, participants took time to celebrate solar excellence through SolarPower Europe’s awards for outstanding contribution to the sector in the area of diversity and inclusion.

31 March 2022

SolarPower Europe launch landmark solar deployment guidelines for sub-Saharan Africa

Supported by GET.invest, SolarPower Europe has launched best practice guidelines for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of solar projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.

31 March 2022

Eight Actions to Solar-Power EU Energy Independence: New Report

Raising Solar Ambition for the European Union's Energy Independence: SolarPower Europe's input paper to the upcoming EU Solar Strategy.

23 March 2022

SolarPower Europe calls on European Leaders for a coordinated EU response to energy prices and decisive renewable ambition

SolarPower Europe issues statement in response to the European Commission's 'Communication on security of supply and affordable energy prices'.

8 March 2022

RePower EU with Solar: The 1TW EU Solar Pathway for 2030

Following on from their ‘toolbox’ on high energy prices in 2021, today the European Commission set out a highly anticipated RePower EU Communication

4 March 2022

EU Commissioners Breton and Simson call for scale up of European Solar PV Industry

Major solar industry stakeholders gathered in Brussels, under the French EU Presidency, to set out how a renewed European PV industry can address the climate and energy security challenges that the continent is facing.

4 March 2022

European Parliament EPP Group endorse EU 45% renewable target for 2030

In line with the #Yesto45RES campaign, today the European People’s Party Group in the European Parliament have endorsed a minimum 45% renewables target for the EU for 2030.

15 February 2022

SolarPower Europe calls for ambition following the European Parliament draft report on REDIII

Rapporteur on the amendment of the Renewables Energy Directive (REDIII), Markus Pieper MEP, has published the draft report with proposed amendments to the REDIII.

2 February 2022

The Italian clawback measures against renewables pose serious threats to the energy transition in Italy and Europe

We appreciate that the purpose of the Law Decree 04/2022 is to limit the negative impacts of rising energy prices, which is primarily due to the sharp increase of gas prices, on the Italian economy and energy consumers, and we support this intention.

21 December 2021

New EU subsidy regime for climate protection boosts solar

The new EU ‘state aid’ rules support projects for environmental protection, including climate protection and green energy generation. Now in line with the European Green Deal, the CEEAG prevents aid to fossil fuels...

15 December 2021

New market report: 2021, the best year in European solar history. 2022, Europe set to hit 30 GW installation level

SolarPower Europe’s EU Market Outlook for Solar Power 2021-2025 shows another record year for the European solar sector.

7 December 2021

Yes to 45% RES! Scientists, cities, and renewable energy unite behind higher EU renewables target

In partnership with other renewable energy and city associations, with the endorsement of scientists, SolarPower Europe is calling to endorse a minimum 45% renewable target by 2030...

6 December 2021

SolarPower Europe launches industry-first Lifecycle Quality Best Practice Guidelines

The solar industry has experienced spectacular growth over the last decade. While the market takes advantage of this unprecedented opportunity for growth, the challenge is how to ensure the long-term quality...

23 November 2021

Europe’s residential battery storage fleet to grow over 400% by 2025

The forecast for household solar continues to look bright for coming years, with European solar & storage set to grow over 400%, from 3 GWh installed storage capacity in 2020 to 12.8 GWh in 2025.

19 November 2021

Post-COP26 the EU must increase its renewable energy target to meet the Paris Agreement goal

The conclusions from the summit highlight the need to accelerate the deployment of clean power generation, while countries made individual pledges that should result in an increase of 1.8 to 2.4°C of global warming

3 November 2021

EU Solar Jobs – potential to triple to 1.1 million in 2030

As leaders gather in Glasgow for COP26 to tackle the climate crisis, SolarPower Europe has published its ‘EU Solar Jobs Report 2021’.

28 October 2021

SolarPower Europe and Google launch #SolarWorks campaign, shining a light on growing solar job opportunities in Europe

Solar power is set to become Europe’s main source of energy before the end of the decade.

26 October 2021

SolarPower Europe and SAPVIA launch South Africa edition of Operation and Maintenance Best Practice Guidelines

This week SolarPower Europe, together with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), have launched Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Best Practice Guidelines. The report builds on SolarPower Europe’s European O&M Best Practice Guidelines (v.4.0) and adapts key recommendations to the South African context.

22 October 2021

EU leaders call on the European Investment Bank to accelerate the energy transition

The Council conclusions follow a joint letter, from European energy-intensive industries to leaders, calling for policy measures to support industry access to renewable energy.

14 October 2021

European Commission endorses corporate renewable PPAs as part of the answer to surging energy prices

Renewables are central to delivering Europe’s energy and climate ambition – reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030.

13 October 2021

Accelerate solar deployment to tackle rising electricity prices

During a press conference outlining the details of the toolbox Commissioner Kadri Simson also noted the need to develop energy storage capacity to support the increasing role of renewables.

12 October 2021

«SolarMarket» opens – first BIPV installation on heritage building in Brussels

The SolarMarket is the largest social-urban BIPV installation in Europe, generating the equivalent electricity consumption of 703 households, and saving 754 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

8 October 2021

Turning point for the industry: the solar sector calls for acceleration of PV manufacturing in Europe

At the return of Intersolar this week, key representatives of the solar industry gathered for SolarPower Europe’s 5th High Level Industrial Forum.

7 October 2021

SolarPower Europe and IRENA Strengthen Coordinated Actions in the Solar Industry

SolarPower Europe and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) are strengthening their cooperation by signing a partnership agreement.

21 July 2021

Solar continues to break installation records, on track for Terawatt scale by 2022

The Global Market Outlook is the flagship publication of SolarPower Europe. Produced inhouse by SolarPower Europe’s market intelligence team and with the support of its members and the Global Solar Council

15 July 2021

Fit for a Solar Future: Commission climate package is landmark achievement but more ambition is possible

During a press conference at the Brussels headquarters of the Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, and top commissioners revealed the proposal to increase Europe’s 2030 renewable energy target from 32% to 40% of Europe’s final energy demand.

5 July 2021

European Associations call for an ambitious Simplification Decree in Italy to speed up the deployment of renewables

SolarPower Europe, WindEurope,ANEV, ANIE Rinnovabili, Elettricità Futura and Italia Solare have called on the Italian Government to adopt an ambitious Simplification Decree to speed up the deployment of renewables in the country.