Brussels

The trade body has highlighted a lack of explicit PV industry support in EU member states which already host domestic manufacturers, such as Germany, France, Austria, Belgium and Lithuania, and says the focus on green hydrogen could exacerbate the solar trade deficit with Asia.

The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached 4.82 GW at the end of 2019. Most of last year’s new PV additions were rooftop projects, but Engie also started up a 100 MW solar park.

Part three of our series on solar’s less covered markets takes us to Belgium, where despite impressive instsllation numbers from the rooftop market, a lack of volume means the country is unlikely to hit its EU mandated 2020 targets for renewable energy.

Belgium market update: Once among Europe’s leaders in solar PV deployment, with more than 1 GW of capacity added in its peak year of 2011, Belgium’s market lost momentum following the abrupt closure of generous subsidy programs. In recent years, driven by its residential PV segment, the country has experienced a solar comeback, which became particularly prominent in the year just passed.

Re-Source Platform, which is administered by SolarPower Europe and WindEurope, sees more than 50 multinational corporations including Facebook, Google and Amazon sign letter to European Energy Ministers calling for removal of regulatory barriers on corporate renewable PPAs.

The European Union should aim for 35% of renewables in its energy consumption by 2030, with nationally binding targets introduced to support EU goal, European Parliament says.

“Airbus for batteries”-style alliance announced this week in Brussels aims to expedite European battery cell manufacturing and strengthen continent’s storage value chain in face of Asian and U.S. competition.

The global environmental organization’s ‘Go Solar’ campaign urges the European Commission to introduce EU policies designed to usher in 100% renewable energy era, with solar at the forefront of change.

The French energy giant has issued its second green bond to sustain its expansion into the renewable energy sector. The €1.5 billion bond will also be used to finance solar projects. Meanwhile, the company has started to target the Belgian commercial PV market.

The proposed extension of trade measures on solar panels and cells imported into the EU from China would represent a severe blow to the sector, says SolarPower Europe. EU ProSun, however, welcomes the recommendation. Minimum Import Price to be reduced in 2017.