European solar research and industry calls for "Solar Europe Now"

Brussels/Fribourg, 5 May 2020 - A new alliance, "Solar Europe Now", officially launched on 5 May, calls for the recognition of solar energy as a key technology for the objectives of the European Green Deal. The new alliance, which currently includes more than 90 stakeholders from across the European solar value chain, is concerned that the current presentation of the Green Deal does not take enough account of the photovoltaic sector.

There is a lack of funding and support for research and development, which could hinder the further development of the sector, stalling the EU's industrial sovereignty in strategic technologies and limiting the successful implementation of decarbonisation across the European continent.

The Solar Europe Now Call to Action

Solar energy is now seen worldwide as a crucial factor in building a secure and sustainable energy system. All energy scenarios developed by the EU in the context of the 2050 climate targets see a key role for photovoltaic technology. In the European Commission's communication on the Green Deal, i.e. the roadmap for the EU authorities to promote the energy turnaround in the coming years, while renewable energies are seen as playing a crucial role in the phase-out of coal-fired power generation and the decarbonisation of Europe, solar energy, on the other hand, remains specifically unmentioned, in stark contrast to offshore wind energy, which is seen as a key driver.

Yet the development of a strong solar industry in Europe holds immense potential: photovoltaics currently cover only 3 percent of the EU's total electricity demand, with an estimated potential of 15 percent by 2030. European research centres are developing cutting-edge technologies for industrial production along the entire photovoltaic value chain. These new cutting-edge solutions are the basis for a renaissance of globally competitive industrial PV production in Europe. The total annual global turnover of the European PV industry is currently estimated at €5 billion, but there is potential for more. The industry has a high potential for economic growth and for creating sustainable jobs.

For Roch Drozdowski-Strehl, CEO of the Institut Photovoltaïque de l'Île de France (IPVF), an internationally recognized photovoltaic research institute based in France and founder of "Solar Europe Now", the increase in investment in research and innovation for this sector is a spark for the industrial development of this key strategic technology and industry and serves to unleash its full market potential. "Together with the world-leading research centres based here, Europe can lead the market for high-quality photovoltaic cells and modules. In Europe, the major institutes have positioned themselves strongly in the competition for new technologies. The European institutions should support this by all means."

Prof. Andreas Bett, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany adds: "Some of the world's most advanced technologies, such as tandem solar cells that surpass the efficiencies of silicon solar cells, as well as sustainable production technologies taking into account circular economy and recycling, are currently being developed in European research centres. Encouraging investment in these key technologies at EU level will provide unique opportunities for breakthrough innovation and intellectual property developments, while creating space for new entrants."

Promoting research and development in this sector would not only strengthen the EU's industrial sovereignty vis-à-vis China and Asia, which still produces 97% of the world's solar modules, but would also strengthen European leadership in key strategic technologies and, last but not least, send a positive signal to manufacturers.

Edyta Witkowska-Grześkiewicz, Managing Director of the Polish company Bruk-Bet Solar, which is a member of "Solar Europe Now" as a manufacturer of photovoltaic modules, emphasizes: "Thanks to advances in process automation and Industry 4.0, it is possible to manufacture materials, solar cells and modules in Europe at competitive costs. Such a European manufacturing industry will benefit from the technological innovations of the world's leading European research centres, and in the process it will provide the fast-growing European market with high-quality solar modules manufactured in a sustainable and resource-efficient way."

The members of the alliance "Solar Europe Now" call on the European institutions to take the strategic value of photovoltaics more into account in the upcoming climate, research and innovation initiatives as well as sustainable finance initiatives. The expansion of solar energy is essential to achieve the EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. "Solar Europe Now" seeks to engage with European decision-makers to discuss ways to shine sunlight on the Green Deal and stimulate European PV production capacity.

Roch Drozdowski-Strehl concludes: "A dynamic photovoltaic market is the basis for reviving the European solar manufacturing industry and creating more than 100,000 jobs along the entire value chain. The European Green Deal opens up the opportunity to expand sustainable and job-creating activities in low-emission technologies, offsetting the decline in employment in the fossil fuel sector and in CO₂-intensive processes. It is essential that we develop a tailored policy and financial framework to revitalise European PV manufacturing capacity."

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About the Solar Europe Now Alliance

The "Solar Europe Now" alliance brings together more than 90 players in the European photovoltaic value chain from 15 European countries. Convinced that solar energy is crucial to achieve climate neutrality in the near future, the alliance was formed by research centres and manufacturers calling for a better integration of photovoltaics in climate and energy policies at European level.

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Source: Press release ise.fraunhofer.de from 5.5.2020

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