European Parliament: By 2028, all new buildings must use solar energy!

-From: PV TECH

This?Tuesday, the European Parliament approved draft measures to increase renovation rates, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBDII) stipulates that by 2028, all the new buildings must use solar rooftop systems; By 2032, renovated residential buildings must use solar rooftop systems.

The directive aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU construction industry by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. In addition, it also focuses on improving the energy conversion rate of inefficient buildings and improving the sharing of energy performance information.

-New buildings will achieve 0 emissions from 2028

-Measures to help reduce energy costs and address climate change

-Support measures for vulnerable families

-Buildings account for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions

The European Commission has previously stated that buildings in the region account for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Last year, the committee introduced the Rooftop solar power Initiative, which mandates the phased installation of solar energy in all new public, commercial, and residential buildings.

The draft measures derived from this initiative are expected to help increase the refurbishment rate, improve information sharing in the field of energy performance, and ultimately achieve zero emissions for all new buildings from 2028. From another perspective, as long as it is technically appropriate and economically feasible, all new buildings will be required to use solar energy technology by 2028.

The deadline for new buildings owned or operated by public institutions is 2026, and the deadline for residential buildings undergoing major renovations is 2032.

The members of the European Parliament adopted the directive by 343 votes to 216, with 78 abstentions. Members of Parliament will now negotiate with the Council to agree on the final form of the bill.

According to the directive, residential buildings for household use must achieve at least E level energy performance by 2030 and D level energy performance by 2033. Grades range from A to G, with G corresponding to the worst performing 15% of buildings in member countries. Non household and public buildings will be required to achieve the same ratings by 2027 and 2030, respectively.

The level of energy performance depends on the amount of energy used per square meter and the level of carbon dioxide emissions (in tons per year). According to renewable energy measures, a numerical rating from 1 to 100 and a letter rating from A to G are listed, with A being the highest and most effective rating.

When selling, leasing, signing contracts under new agreements, or carrying out major renovations, buildings will be required to improve their energy efficiency through insulation engineering, heating system improvements, and other measures.

Under the new regulations, EU member states will formulate measures to achieve these goals in their national transformation plans.

The directive recommends that the national renovation plan include support plans to facilitate access to grants and funds. These plans must provide a significant premium for deep renovation, especially for the worst performing buildings, and must provide targeted grants and subsidies to vulnerable households.

The regulations exclude monuments from the new rules and allow EU countries to exclude buildings, technical buildings, temporary buildings, and churches and places of worship that are protected due to special architectural or historical values.

Member States will also be allowed to exempt public social housing because renovations will lead to higher rents, which cannot be compensated for through electricity savings. EU countries can also adjust the new target in the limited proportion of buildings according to the economic and technical feasibility of transformation and the available skilled labor force.

Ciarán Cuffe, Rapporteur of the Building Energy Efficiency Directive, said: "Soaring energy prices have focused on energy efficiency and conservation measures, and improving the performance of European buildings will reduce bills and our dependence on energy imports. We hope that the directive can reduce energy poverty and emissions, and provide a better indoor environment for people's health. This is a growth strategy in Europe that will provide hundreds of thousands of high-quality local jobs in the construction, renovation, and renewable energy industries, while improving the well-being of millions of people living in Europe."

background

On December 15, 2021, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal to amend the "Building Energy Performance Directive EPBDII", which regulates key aspects of decarbonization in the construction industry and is part of the so-called "Fit for 55" package. The new European Climate Law (July 2021) incorporates the 2030 and 2050 goals into binding European law.

By revising the "Building Energy Performance Directive EPBDII", it aims to mainstream photovoltaic and energy storage applications in building renovation and design, and accelerate the decarbonization of existing buildings. The updated directive expands its scope to include reducing emissions from buildings, not just improving their energy performance.

Recently, the European Commission has also adopted a new interim crisis and transition framework to support measures taken by key sectors that are transitioning to a net zero economy under the Green Trade Industry Plan.