What is the EU Solar Strategy?

The unprecedented EU Solar Strategy aims to provide the right framework to massively deploy solar PV energy in Europe, and sets out new objectives of almost 320 GWac (400 GWdc) by 2025 and almost 600 GWac target for EU solar by 2030 – equivalent to 750 GWdc.

How much solar energy does the EU need?

Over this decade, the EU will need to install, on average, approximately 45 GW per year. Solar energy systems have long been a low-cost and reliable solution for heating in many European countries 6 but overall solar heat accounts for just around 1.5% of heating needs 7 .

Why is solar energy important in the EU?

Reducing the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels, solar energy plays a key role in both the clean energy transition and the REPowerEU plan. Solar energy technologies convert sunlight into energy, either as electricity (photovoltaics and concentrated solar power) or in the form of solar heat. Solar is the fastest growing energy source in the EU.

How many solar panels are there in the EU in 2021?

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in 2021 the estimated installed solar PV capacity in the EU was over 158 GW, compared with over 306 GW in China and almost 94 GW in the US. China is currently the world's leader in solar energy production.

What does the European Commission say about energy storage?

The Commission adopted in March 2023 a list of recommendations to ensure greater deployment of energy storage, accompanied by a staff working document, providing an outlook of the EU’s current regulatory, market, and financing framework for storage and identifies barriers, opportunities and best practices for its development and deployment.

How does the EU support the European solar PV manufacturing sector?

Over the last years, the EU has taken initiatives to strengthen its support to the European solar PV manufacturing sector, which includes several globally competitive companies in several steps of the value chain.