The Role of Photovoltaics in the Response of the European Member States to the European Green Deal

Since the introduction of the first European Renewable Energy Directive in 2009, PV installations have significantly increased to reach over 139 GWp in the European Union (EU27) at the end of 2020. The European Green Deal, endorsed by the European Council in December 2020 sets new climate targets, bringing opportunities and challenges for the deployment of solar photovoltaic and renewable in general. The lessons learned during the last decade highlight the importance of legal and regulatory continuity to ensure investor confidence. It has also become clear that only solar PV and wind sources have the market potential to allow the EU to reach its strategic goals for the energy transition.

Automated summary

PV installations in the EU have significantly increased since the introduction of the first European Renewable Energy Directive in 2009, reaching over 139 GWp by the end of 2020. The European Green Deal endorsed in December 2020 brings new climate targets and opportunities/challenges for solar PV and renewable energy deployment. The lessons learned highlight the importance of legal and regulatory continuity for investor confidence, while also pointing out that only solar PV and wind sources have the market potential to help the EU achieve its strategic energy transition goals.