Statement: European Parliament agrees on the EU Solar Standard

Today, European legislators adopted the EU Solar Standard in the European Parliament within the European Performance of Buildings Directive. The new law is set to require solar installations on buildings across the European Union. This means that solar installations must be integrated into building works, and public bodies must retroactively install PV on their buildings, entering into force gradually from 2026.  

Having already been informally agreed in December 2023, the legislation now just needs to be rubber-stamped by EU Ministers in an upcoming Council, before entering the EU rule books.  

Jan Osenberg, Senior Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe, said (he/him): 

“Today, the European Parliament reached a huge milestone to accelerate renewable deployment, by adopting the EU Solar Standard. From 2026, the EU Solar Standard will require solar rooftop installations across a significant proportion of Europe’s building stock. The EU Solar Standard puts the power in citizens’ hands and will enshrine the energy transition into the places where we sleep, work, and live. 

As the grid catches up to the energy transition, installing energy generation where we use energy will also help the grid, by keeping electricity local and empowering citizens with the information and technical ability to use electricity smartly. They can see when they are generating more electricity and can adjust their consumption accordingly. 

The implementation of the Directive must translate law into reality, with effective integration into construction practices and building requirements. Exemptions, support measures, and system design criteria will have to be defined. Ministries and stakeholders have the opportunity to draw upon the best practices established in nine European countries where similar measures have already been implemented.” 

Notes:

The progressive EU Solar Standard will require: 

• on new commercial and public buildings by 2026, 
• on commercial and public buildings that undergo a relevant renovation by 2027,  
• on new residential buildings by 2029,  
• on existing public buildings by 2030.  

Nine European countries (France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Germany) have adopted similar measures which can be used as best practices.   

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