Solar Panels Set To Be Mandatory

The new proposal aims to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil and supercharge Europe’s transition to green energy.

Solar panels would be mandatory on all new buildings in the European Union under a new proposal aimed at ending its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027 and supercharging its transition to green energy.

The “solar rooftop initiative” in the European Commission’s REPowerEU plan would introduce a phased-in legal obligation to install solar panels on new public and commercial buildings, as well as new residential buildings.

The initiative forms part of the commission’s drive to scale up and speed up renewable energy in power generation, industry, buildings and transport, to accelerate the EU’s independence from Russian imports, give a boost to the green transition and reduce energy prices over time.

The detailed plan published on Wednesday comes after the commission (the European Union’s executive arm) called for the rapid phase-out of Russian fossil fuels and an acceleration of the European Green Deal in March in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

European leaders then agreed to fully phase out Europe’s dependency on Russian gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible at the European Council meeting later that month and asked the commission to develop a plan by the end of May.

The plan has three main pillars: energy savings, diversification of energy supplies, and accelerated roll-out of renewable energy.

The commission has said the plan will require an additional investment of €210bn (£178bn) between now and 2027 from the private and public sector across Europe, describing it as a “downpayment” on the bloc’s future independence and security. The proposal says cutting Russian fossil fuel imports can save the EU almost €100bn a year.

Saving Energy

In terms of saving energy, the commission is proposing to raise its current target for reducing energy consumption by 2030 via energy efficiency, from 9 per cent to 13 per cent.

It is also encouraging member states to use policy to boost energy savings, such as reduced VAT rates on energy-efficient heating systems, building insulation and appliances and products, or by strengthening national energy requirements of new buildings.

Accelerating The Rollout of Renewables

The proposed mandatory solar panel roll out is part of the ‘renewable energy’ pillar.

The commission is proposing to increase its current target for renewables to produce 40 per cent of the EU’s energy by 2030, raising it to 45 per cent.

For this to happen, the commission is proposing to double the rate of deployment of heat pumps, to produce 10 million tonnes of domestic renewable hydrogen by 2030, and to double wind and solar capacity.

By 2030, solar energy will also be the largest electricity source in the EU with more than half coming from rooftops, said Kadri Simson, the EU commissioner for energy.

It says it will roll out contracts to support the update of green hydrogen by industry and will use emission trading revenues to support the switch away from Russian fossil fuel dependencies. It says it will also “intensify” work on the supply of critical raw materials for the renewable transition and prepare a legislative proposal.

Diversifying Energy Supplies

In the proposal, the commission says it is considering the development of a “joint purchasing mechanism”, which will contract and negotiate gas purchases on behalf of participating member states. It will also enable joint purchasing of renewable hydrogen.

The commission will also consider legislative measures to insist on diversification of gas supply over time by member states, it added.

Source: The Independent