?? EU Building Efficiency Directive Goes Live: A Major Boost for Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar ??

The European solar landscape is about to be transformed! The new EU Rooftop Solar Standard could add an impressive 150GW to 200GW of rooftop solar capacity across the EU between 2026 and 2030, according to SolarPower Europe. This game-changing directive is designed to fully harness the potential of EU rooftops, with the EU Joint Research Centre estimating that if 60% of public buildings qualify, rooftop solar could offer a massive 560GW of potential capacity. ??

This new regulation mandates that all new buildings must be equipped with solar-ready infrastructure, making solar adoption easier and more appealing than ever. BloombergNEF's analysis shows that proactive solar standards, such as those already in place in some EU countries, could increase ROI by 8% to 11% compared to retrofitting. Additionally, these standards are expected to dismantle barriers for multi-family residential buildings, unlocking broader societal benefits. ??

The rollout of the EU Rooftop Solar Standard will begin in 2027 for new non-residential and public buildings, extend to major renovations of existing non-residential buildings in 2028, cover new residential buildings by 2030, and finally include all suitable existing public buildings by 2031. This will particularly unleash the potential of large rooftops, such as those on office buildings, commercial facilities, and parking structures. Certain structures, like agricultural and historical buildings, may be exempt. ???

By the end of 2023, Europe’s total rooftop solar capacity surpassed 170GW, with expectations to reach 355GW by the end of 2027. In addition to the solar installations mandated by this standard, residential rooftop solar is also anticipated to grow as citizens seek protection from fossil fuel price fluctuations. For the commercial and industrial sectors, this directive presents a pivotal opportunity, positioning rooftop solar as a cornerstone of Europe’s energy transition. ??