How does solar energy work in Europe?

Solar power consists of photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal energy in the European Union (EU). In 2010, the €2.6 billion European solar heating sectors consisted of small and medium-sized businesses, generated 17.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy, employed 33,500 workers, and created one new job for every 80 kW of added capacity. [ 1 ]

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 much solar power does the EU produce?

Furthermore, the EU net maximum electrical capacity increased from 176 MW to 120 000 MW between 2000 and 2019. In 2020, solar electricity production capacity varied between countries (see Map 1), with the majority of production coming from solar photovoltaic energy and only Spain producing electricity from solar thermal.

Are solar panels a threat to EU energy security?

Lastly, as pointed out in a recent EPRS note on solar as a source of EU energy security, China is the dominant producer of solar PV panels, which creates a risk of a new dependency from this supplier. Source: Eurostat, 2020.

Is there a trade-off between solar and wind power in Europe?

A fascinating aspect of the renewable energy landscape in Europe is the interplay between different forms of renewable energy. In many regions, there is a trade-off between solar and wind power. Regions with high solar potential often have low wind potential, and vice versa.

Is solar power a competitive source of electricity in the EU?

The cost of solar power decreased by 82% between 2010-2020, making it the most competitive source of electricity in many parts of the EU. The EU solar generation capacity keeps increasing and reached, according to SolarPower Europe, an estimated 259.99 GW in 2023. The EU has long been a front-runner in the roll-out of solar energy.