European Parliament Approves EU Solar Standard Legislation

On March 12, 2024, European legislators acceded to the EU Solar Standard in the European Parliament within the European Performance of Buildings Directive. As per the standard, solar installations on buildings will now be mandatory across the European Union. Solar installations should be seamlessly integrated into building construction, with public entities mandated to retrofit PV systems onto their structures. These regulations were informally agreed to in December 2023 but will be formally implemented gradually starting in 2026.

In this regard, Jan Osenberg, Senior Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe said,

“Today, the European Parliament reached a huge milestone to accelerate renewable deployment, by adopting the EU Solar Standard. From 2026, the EU Solar Standard will require solar rooftop installations across a significant proportion of Europe’s building stock. The EU Solar Standard puts the power in citizens’ hands and will enshrine the energy transition into the places where we sleep, work, and live.

As the grid catches up to the energy transition, installing energy generation where we use energy will also help the grid, by keeping electricity local and empowering citizens with the information and technical ability to use electricity smartly. They can see when they are generating more electricity and can adjust their consumption accordingly.

The implementation of the Directive must translate law into reality, with effective integration into construction practices and building requirements. Exemptions, support measures, and system design criteria will have to be defined. Ministries and stakeholders have the opportunity to draw upon the best practices established in nine European countries where similar measures have already been implemented.”