2023: Sunny with a few clouds

Yesterday, on 12 December, SolarPower Europe launched our landmark EU Market Outlook for Solar Power 2023-2027. This annual report shines a light on current solar installation numbers across the EU, as well as our projections for the coming 5 years.
 
Here are some of the takeaways from this year’s report:
 
We have yet again broken solar installation records. Despite the challenges the sector faces, we are still growing exponentially with 55.9 GW installed in 2023, compared to last year’s record-breaking 40 GW.
 
Germany is now back as the largest solar market, installing 14.1 GW and surpassing Italy's 12-year-old record of 9.3 GW in 2012. Spain follows with 8.2 GW, while Italy entered the top 3 for the first time in a long while, installing 4.8 GW. Poland (4.6 GW) and the Netherlands (4.1 GW) close out the top 5.
 
Grid constraints remain a core challenge across the majority of EU Member States. We are happy to see the EU Commission’s Grids Action Plan that was published earlier this month. Despite a lack of wording on flexibility and storage, the actions outlined in the plan will make a start on preparing grids across Europe for the renewables revolution that is taking place.
 
Finally, one of the most critical challenges of all is ensuring we have urgent support for our EU solar manufacturers. This year, manufacturers in Europe have faced a major crisis with falling prices of solar panels leading to lay-offs and even insolvency. We need action from policymakers now! Read our solutions for manufacturers here.

Over the past year, and particularly in the past months, we have been doing all in our power to make this situation clear to European lawmakers, calling for them to take immediate action to support solar manufacturers in Europe. 

This recent video outlines our position, which offers balanced solutions that could be implemented within weeks, including: 

• State Aid to support the running costs of factories 
• Creating resilience auctions and procurement under the Net-Zero Industry Act 
• An EU Solar Manufacturing Bank 
• Swiftly adopting market standards that reflect Europe's ESG values 
   
   

We have also strongly warned against trade defence measures that would injure the EU solar sector to the detriment of the EU’s green energy transition at a critical moment in time. Over 420 European organisations have joined us in reiterating this point. 

We did receive one early Christmas gift, however. EU institutions have agreed on a EU rooftop solar standard. Across all EU countries, the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will require solar installations on all new public and commercial buildings by 2026, on all new residential buildings by 2029, on non-residential buildings that undergo a relevant renovation by 2027, and on all existing public buildings in a stepwise approach by 2030.

SolarPower Europe has been working on a rooftop solar standard over several years – we are excited to end the year with such positive news for the European solar sector and society at large.

As this year comes to an end, and we look towards 2024, we will continue to support and work to unite all corners the European solar value chain. We thank you all for your continued dedication. Together, we can lead the way to a solar-powered Europe.