The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive has been officially published in the EU's Official Journal. Implementing the EU Rooftop Solar Standard within this directive has the potential to generate solar energy equivalent to powering 56 million homes across Europe.
EU Solar Rooftop Standard
A preliminary evaluation by SolarPower Europe suggests that the EPBD could spur the deployment of 150 to 200 GW of rooftop solar in the foreseeable future, tapping into the unused capacity of rooftops throughout the EU.
This forecast is based on the assumption that 60% of public buildings are suitable for solar installation and comply with the EU Solar Rooftop Standard. The EPBD is poised to unleash the considerable rooftop capacity, previously estimated at 560 GW by the EU Joint Research Centre earlier this year.
With the new regulations, all new buildings must include features ready for solar integration, making it easier and more appealing to incorporate solar energy. Bloomberg NEF points out that proactive solar standards, similar to those in some EU countries, can increase return on investment by 8 to 11% compared to retrofit installations. Additionally, the Solar Standard seeks to expand accessibility, reducing obstacles to solar adoption in multi-apartment buildings.
New Regulations
With the new regulations, all new buildings must include features ready for solar integration, making it easier and more appealing to incorporate solar energy. Bloomberg NEF points out that proactive solar standards, similar to those in some EU countries, can increase return on investment by 8 to 11% compared to retrofit installations. Additionally, the Solar Standard seeks to expand accessibility, reducing obstacles to solar adoption in multi-apartment buildings.
The EU Solar Rooftop Standard is set to encompass new non-residential and public buildings starting in 2027, existing non-residential buildings undergoing significant renovations by 2028, new residential constructions from 2030 onward, and all suitable existing public buildings by 2031. This standard is anticipated to unlock the potential of vast rooftops atop offices, commercial buildings, and parking structures, with certain exceptions for buildings like agricultural and historic ones.
Solar-Powered Heating and Electric Vehicles
Jan Osenberg, Senior Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe, emphasized that the new legislation mirrors the essential integration of smoke detectors in advancing rooftop solar as a standard, expanding access to clean, renewable, and cost-effective energy for buildings, businesses, and individuals, highlighting the potential for rooftop PV to facilitate intelligent electrification.
Osenberg further noted that integrating solar-powered heating and electric vehicles into homes will reduce costs, and strategic pairing of rooftop solar with EVs and heat pumps will alleviate grid strain and potentially offer direct support during times of stress, underscoring the need to remove barriers to electrification and enable grid operators to leverage flexibility.
“Solar-powered heating and electric vehicles will reduce the expenses of sustainable homes. Strategically combining rooftop solar with EVs and heat pumps will also alleviate strain on the grid and may even offer direct grid support through flexibility services during times of grid strain. Achieving this will entail eliminating barriers to electrification and ensuring that grid operators can leverage this flexibility potential,” Osenberg stated.
The implementation of the EU Rooftop Solar Standard has the potential to power 56 million homes, ushering in a new era of sustainable energy and intelligent electrification.