European Union Could be 12% Solar by 2020

What’s the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) up to? They’re aiming at an EU-wide renewable portfolio standard incorporating 12 percent solar electricity by 2020. The EPIA, along with 50 solar industry CEOs, gathered recently in Spain to set a solar goal for the European Union. Out of this meeting came the unanimous belief that a goal of 12 percent is easily reachable with the next 14 years.

How? They are already on their way. They see grid parity, the point at which solar becomes equal in cost to conventional energy sources, as an impending realization. In fact, the EPIA asserts, countries like Italy and Spain could have grid parity as early as 2012, with Germany on their heels by 2015. Furthermore, considering advancements in technology and production, other European countries would progressively follow suit. Thus making 2020 an achievable timetable.

EPIA goals rely on continuing governmental support combined with industry-wide cooperation. I think 50 CEOs showing up for the conference is a good omen in that regard. If grid parity can be reached in the majority of European Union members by 2020, then I can only imagine how fast it will take off from there.

Now imagine a combination of photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies…

Posted on October 14th in Solar News by Dan.