Solar-Powering EU Energy Independence

In the short-term, we can accelerate existing projects already in the pipeline to ensure completion by end of 2022, identify go-to areas for additional solar & storage projects, and set a clear EU-level target for 100 GW of solar PV deployment per year from 2025.

In the medium-term, we should develop scientific evidence & citizen awareness of the benefits of solar, share biodiversity best-practice among local stakeholders, launch structured dialogue between energy, environment and agriculture authorities, and through the JRC, map land available for solar plants.

In the short-term, we can suspend grid connection costs between 2022-24, develop a framework for grid-friendly solar projects (solar and storage, hybrid renewables), and launch a dedicated support programme for such projects.

In the medium-term, we can reduce permitting process duration, increase the open data obligations from TSOs and DSOs on the grid structure, and develop an EU-level roadmap on grid modernisation and flexibility development, including at distributed level.

In the short-term we can give clear signals to the electrical and mechanical installers industry by mandating solar
panels on all rooftops and banning the installation of new gas and oil boilers.

In the medium-term we can launch a Skills Initiative for the solar PV industrial ecosystem, as foreseen in the European
Skills Agenda, including communication campaigns and structured co-operation between authorities, industry, and educators. An effective Solar Skills Initiative will include funding for training programmes, the inclusion of solar in national apprenticeship programmes, and targeted cooperation with EU neighbouring states for skilled labour movement.

such as agrisolar, floating solar, and building-integrated PV. 

In the medium-term we can create a flagship initiative on innovative PV deployment, gathering evidence on the benefits of floating PV and agrisolar, as well as a database of incidents, identify O&M solutions, create models for OPEX costs, define impacts on deliverability. We could also launch a BIPV Strategy as part of the Solar Industrial Strategy, building on the New European Bauhaus initiative. 

In the medium-term we should develop a comprehensive analysis of the raw materials needed in the solar PV industry,
building on the preliminary work of the European Raw Materials Industry and ensuring an involvement of the industry. This exercise should focus in particular on silicon metal, silver, aluminium, and copper.

In the short-term, like the Chips Fund, we should launch a €1 bn Solar Fund to leverage private investment. We should also set a target to close financing on shovel-ready projects within 6 months, define & implement sustainability criteria to create a level playing field among PV products, and eliminate EU trade barriers to facilitate access to necessary components and raw materials.

In the short-term we have the opportunity to launch an EU Solar Rooftop initiative to frontload investments into 23.3 GW of rooftop solar PV by the end of 2022, while easing State Aid approval procedures to allow member states to grant short term, ambitious public support for renovation and solar deployment.

In the medium-term we could develop a massive awareness-raising campaign on renovation and rooftop PV development, and an adequate regulatory framework, through the revision and the subsequent implementation of the EPBD and the REDII.

In the short-term we should ensure rooftop PV deployment is accompanied with the deployment of energy system
management and local battery storage, to make rooftop PV prosumer-ready or flexibility-ready.

In the medium term, we could identify best practices in prosumer frameworks development and develop a forum for
the sharing of such practices, define an action plan for the development of consumer solar PV solutions, and leverage the revision of NECPs to require national prosumer strategies from European governments.