2024 in review

The International Energy Agency now projects that solar will become the world's single-largest source of electricity by 2033. While looking to the future, we’re reflecting on our shared successes of the last year. Read on to uncover wins across all our activities, and how we strengthened our impact with the support of our growing membership.  

Influencing The New EU Strategic Agenda: SolarPower Europe significantly influenced the new five-year political plan for Europe, making sure the EU’s competitiveness and decarbonisation agendas are mutually reinforcing in a Clean Industrial Deal. Through SolarPower Europe’s ‘Confirm the Green Deal’ letter with over 500 cross-sector signatories, we asked EU leaders to confirm the Green Deal as the foundation for a competitive, secure, modern and efficient Europe during the next EU mandate. Through our Solar for Europe manifesto, which was published 7 months ahead of the new Strategic Agenda, we were able to put our key messages across on how solar delivers for Europe. 

Landing a set of excellent energy files before the end of the previous Commission cycle, including: a world-class Electricity Market Reform agenda with key wins on PPAs, energy sharing and flexibility; a game-changing European Performance of Buildings Directive with new mandates for rooftop solar on public, commercial and residential buildings; the Net Zero Industry Act with a robust but balanced approach to resilience and sustainability non-price criteria in public procurement and auctions.

New flagship report on system electrification and flexibility: This year we have increased the focus on the area of system flexibility and published our first Mission Solar 2040 report. The study looks into electrification and flexibility, the major challenge for solar power’s further growth in Europe. 

Let’s Flex: Off the back of Mission Solar 2040, SolarPower Europe launched the Let’s Flex campaign to highlight the importance of energy system flexibility in the energy transition and position solar and flexibility as solutions for competitiveness, energy security, and decarbonisation, making flexibility a top EU political priority.

More business value through our events and partnerships: Our flagship SolarPower Summit welcomed over 500 participants with remarks from Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, Belgian Energy Minister Tinne van der Straten and more. The staggering RE-Source event reached new heights with over 1400 participants with over 400 business meetings arranged.

Spreading public awareness for solar through European Solar Day: SolarPower Europe together with a record 50+ partners, delivered #SolarSchool, providing an array of materials for school children to learn, explore and have fun with solar energy. 

Our first-ever magazine: ‘The Sun Times’, 7 stories on the massive benefits solar brings to Europe were handed out to new and returning Members of European Parliament providing significant visibility for our technology.

A proud moment for SolarPower Europe was winning the Best European Association at the Association Awards, the jury said: “SolarPower Europe's mission is to make solar energy the leading power source in Europe by 2030. With remarkable revenue growth, influential contributions to European legislation, exceptional events, impressive communication outreach, and dedicated member services, SolarPower Europe is accomplishing extraordinary feats!” 

Thank you to our members, partners, and friends of SolarPower Europe for all your support in 2024 to make solar the #1 energy source!  

We look forward on building on the successes of 2024 into next year.