Although the global on-grid solar power market grew by about 49% last year to around 76.1 GW, from about 51.2 GW in 2015, EU member states only installed around 6.9 GW of solar power systems in 2016. According to SolarPower Europe, the association of the solar power sector in Europe, this represents a 20% decrease compared to the 8.6 GW that was grid-connected in 2015. On Friday 3 February, SolarPower Europe called on Europe to adapt its policy framework in an effort to prepare for the next wave of growth in solar power.
Once a solar leader, the European Union is in danger of being eclipsed by both Asia and the US in both solar power production and installations. The world's largest solar market in 2016 was China, which officially added 34.2 GW, over 125% more than in 2015. It was followed by the US with estimated solar power additions of 14 GW, up from 7.3 GW the year before, Japan with around 8.6 GW and India with 4.5 GW.
SolarPower explained that there is the need to drive the next solar investment cycle in the majority of EU countries with the right policy framework, so we can pursue the decarbonisation of the European power sector and “unleash growth for cheap and clean solar power” in Europe. The organisation argues that in this regard the Commission’s clean energy package “provides very concrete and actionable levers, though there is still room for improvement."
In view of the inter-institutional negotiations on this package, SolarPower advocates: - adoption of a strong and ambitious governance framework to steer investment in clean energy; flexibility roadmaps in all countries, to facilitate the uptake of more variable renewables but also address the overcapacity issue in the power sector; market rules adjusted to make them fit for variable solar electricity, as well as local flexibility markets to ensure that all the services provided by solar and storage are properly remunerated; best practices for the design of tenders to accompany further cost decreases while ensuing project realisation and a strong framework for self-generation and consumption to place consumers and communities at the centre of the energy transition.
SolarPower concludes that, “After having inspired so many regions in the world, Europe needs to find its own inspiration again and act as the leader of the energy transition…To start with, increasing the 2030 renewable energy target to at least 35% will send a strong signal that Europe is back in the solar business". (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)