Solar power, despite its double figure growth, is a tiny contributor (0.7%) to the small share (15% in 2005) of renewable electricity in Europe. In March, the European Council agreed to raise the share of renewable energy to 20% by 2020. But they didn’t specify sub-targets for electricity, heating and cooling and transport. Neither were national targets set. This process of so-called burden-sharing is taking place behind the scenes.

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association EPIA is now calling for the European Commission to set specific renewable targets per sector: for electricity, heating & cooling and for transport.

The EPIA does not want harmonisation of the different existing support schemes in various Member States. Instead the EPIA believes that feed-in tariffs, as in Germany, are the most effective way to support PV. “Green certificates are inappropriate for this small form of decentralised energy,” says the EPIA.

In September, the Commission is expected to come up with proposals for a ‘Framework Directive’ specifying targets for different Member States and sectors.

More information:

EPIA newsletter May 2007: “20% RE by 2020, how to make it happen?”