EU Agrees a Rooftop Solar Standard

Yesterday in the late evening, the EU negotiations on the European Performance of Building Directive concluded. The Directive defines energy efficiency targets aiming at decarbonising the EU building stock and key measures to use rooftop solar to cover the remaining electricity demand. SolarPower Europe has issued the following statement: 

Jan Osenberg, Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe, said: 

“EU negotiators reached a huge milestone to accelerate renewable deployment, yesterday, by inking a deal on the EU Solar Standard. Across all EU countries, it will require solar installations on all new public and commercial buildings by 2026, on all new residential buildings by 2029, on non-residential buildings that undergo a relevant renovation by 2027, and on all existing public buildings in a stepwise approach by 2030. The Commission presented the measure as part of the EU Solar Rooftop Strategy to counter the energy crisis. 

On top of boosting solar deployment across all building segments, the measure will strengthen the efficient integration of PV installations into building construction processes. For example, roof constructions will soon always be combined with solar installations, reducing costs and allowing us to make use of the limited existing workforce as efficiently as possible. This is smart and a significant step into a future where having rooftop solar is as self-evident as having a washing machine. 

The implementation of the Directive must now ensure the effective integration into construction practices and building requirements, and facilitate access to private financing solutions to support, in particular, innovative solutions like solar on the facades of the building. Ministries and stakeholders can leverage best practices from comparable measures that are already implemented in 9 EU countries.” 

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