The current status of photovoltaic panel technology in Europe

Is the EU Rethinking the sustainability of photovoltaics?

The sustainability of photovoltaics (PVs) has rapidly improved in recent years, but the European PV manufacturing industry has been struggling to be competitive in the global arena. An EU initiative is looking to reverse this trend.

What is the European solar PV industry alliance?

The European Solar PV Industry Alliance was by the Commission together with industrial actors, research institutes, associations and other relevant parties on 9 December 2022 to support the objectives of the EU's Solar Energy Strategy.

How many solar panels are there in the EU in 2021?

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in 2021 the estimated installed solar PV capacity in the EU was over 158 GW, compared with over 306 GW in China and almost 94 GW in the US. China is currently the world's leader in solar energy production.

What is the EU doing with solar energy?

The EU funds many solar cell projects, such as the PERTPV project, in which perovskite-based materials were used to build a new type of solar cell. Photovoltaic technology is becoming more widely used worldwide. Year after year, photovoltaics make up a bigger share of the EU’s energy mix.

Can the European PV industry reclaim its market share?

An EU initiative is looking to reverse this trend. “The European PV industry can’t fall behind; it must reclaim its market share to become a major player in the energy transition and address its energy independence,” says Claudio Colletti, coordinator of the EU-funded AMPERE project.

Is the EU ready for solar energy?

The EU has long been a front-runner in the roll-out of solar energy. Under the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU plan, solar power is a building block of the EU’s transition to cleaner energy. Its accelerated deployment contributes to reducing the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.