Buildings & Prosumers

Buildings in the EU are responsible for about 40% of energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising buildings is therefore crucial to tackle the climate crisis.

Rooftop solar power holds the promise not only to decarbonise Europe’s buildings, but also to strengthen the region’s energy security and economic competitiveness. As solar panels are rapidly deployed on rooftops across the continent, homes and businesses can generate their own clean electricity, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and buffering communities from volatile global energy prices. The adaptability of solar - installed on roofs, façades, and heritage sites or even the integration of solar cells into construction products, commonly known as Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), - empowers citizens and businesses to become energy producers. This local generation supports electric vehicle charging, enables energy storage and trading within communities, and keeps energy spending within Europe’s economy. By transforming buildings into active participants in the energy transition, rooftop PV helps future-proof Europe’s energy system while driving sustainable growth and reinforcing the continent’s position as a clean technology leader.

2.3 TWp represents the EU’s total solar rooftop potential, compared to the 137 GWp already deployed.

80% of all solar jobs in the EU come from on-site solar, making it a major driver of employment in the sector.

60% to 90% of electricity self-consumption can be achieved by prosumers through the combination of smart solar and battery storage.

Buildings & Prosumers Workstream

The Buildings & Prosumers Workstream supports the advancement of on-site solar and battery storage technologies. We contribute to the EU’s efforts of decarbonising its building stock and lower end-user’s energy costs. One challenge is increasing building flexibility via batteries, EVs, heat pumps, and supporting a flexible energy system.

Workstream members contribute to SolarPower Europe’s positions on key legislative files, as well as supporting SolarPower Europe’s publications by gathering best practices on leveraging the flexibility potential of rooftop solar.

With these initiatives, we contribute to the implementation of the ‘Fit for 55’ package and contribute to new EU initiatives, such as the Clean Industrial Deal, the Affordable Energy Action Plan, and the Citizens Energy Package. Furthermore, we closely observe the national transposition of both the Energy Sharing framework of the 2024 revised Electricity Market Directive (EMD) as well as the EU Solar Standard of the 2024 revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

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Buildings & Prosumers accomplishments

→ In Q3 2025, the Workstream published its EPBD Solar Standard implementation recommendations.→ In Q3 2025, the Workstream published its EPBD Solar Standard implementation recommendations.In Q3 2025, the Workstream published its EPBD Solar Standard implementation recommendations.→ With its Framework for Energy Sharing the Workstream significantly contributed to the 2024 revision of the Electricity Market Directive.

Interview with Sofia Barbosa, Chair of the Workstream Chair of the Buildings & Prosumers Workstream

I am truly honoured to serve as chair of the Buildings & Prosumers Workstream. At Greenvolt, we view this as both a tremendous opportunity and a significant responsibility. There is a pressing need to unlock the immense potential of solar energy in buildings, which provides a robust solution to reduce electricity bills with minimal environmental impact while enhancing energy independence. SolarPower Europe and its members can rely on our complete commitment and enthusiasm to help drive this agenda, one that places the consumer at the centre of the energy transition.

Read the interview