Buildings in the EU are responsible for about 40% of the energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires all newly built buildings to be nearly zero-energy by the end of 2020. However, new buildings will only make up a fraction of the existing buildings in 2050. For the EU to reach climate neutrality by mid-century, the upcoming Renovation Wave must use all available options to decarbonise all new and existing buildings in the EU.
Solar can be deployed easily deployed on building roofs with standard solar panels. Solar can also be installed throughout building façades thanks to the integration of PV cells into construction products, commonly known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (“BIPV”). Thanks to BIPV, solar can be seamlessly integrated into a building on its windows, roof tiles, and façade cladding. Europe is a world leader in BIPV, with more than 200 products currently available on the market.
On-site solar has a huge potential to decarbonise our buildings. This potential should be harnessed. Only by deploying solar on all suitable rooftops, the EU could meet about 25% of its electricity consumption with clean energy. However, today only 10% of the EU’s rooftop potential is used and BIPV represents only about 3% of all the solar installed capacity in the EU.
Through the Solar Buildings Workstream, SolarPower Europe is advocating for the massive use of solar as a cost-effective, technologically proven solution to decarbonise buildings. Among others, we are developing the answers to the following questions:
Join SolarPower Europe’s Solar Buildings Workstream
SolarPower Europe works to promote the development of on-site solar technologies, advocating for an ambitious strategy for the decarbonisation of the building stock through the deployment of solar while pushing the interests of the European rooftop solar and BIPV industry.
If you are interested in joining this Workstream , contact Miguel Herrero Cangas
“BIPV in Europe is today at a turning point. The market is ready, and actually in need of new PV solutions for cities and the technology is mature. Europe has the opportunity to become the uncontested leader of BIPV worldwide as European players have today the best products on the market.”
VP European & International Public Affairs at Akuo Energy and Chair of SolarPower Europe’s BIPV Workstream
Photos: Brynseng School in Oslo, Norway (©NCC), Copenhagen International School (© CF Møller)
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