ESMC calls the European Commission for the comprehensive solar strategy

European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) recently requested the European Commission for the comprehensive EU solar strategy to be prepared and stronger Photovoltaics (PV) manufacturing reflection in Recovery and Resilience Facility. This request has been made as a follow-up of the Policy Statement prepared by ESMC and targeted for the PV manufacturing inclusion in the national Recovery and Resilience Plans, which assessment by the European Commission just started.

EU currently faces enormous challenges and huge opportunities with the implementation of the ambitious European Green Deal. Green transformation will decisively impact a variety of sectors and will to a large extent restructure the European economy and industry. The combination of the Green Deal targets, a post-Covid-19 environment and the Recovery and Resilience Facility creates unique opportunities for the EU to strengthen and restore certain value chains and industries. The current critical momentum to act is emphasized in the letter including the social and economic benefits of the additional capacities of PV manufacturing in the EU.

ESMC has since the creation of the organization worked for PV manufacturing to be recognized as such a critical and strategic value chain for Europe. We are very pleased to observe that our and our partners efforts have started to deliver concrete results. In the latest update of the EU industrial strategy, published on 5th of May, the significance of PV manufacturing in the EU has been addressed.

“The market expansion and global growth in demand for wind turbines, solar PV panels, and smart energy technologies is a key opportunity, as greater scale should bring lower energy costs for industry as well as society at large. The Commission welcomes efforts to scale up manufacturing of these technologies in the EU, such as the industry-led European Solar Initiative. The Commission is also working on EcoDesign measures for solar panels, including possible requirements on carbon footprint” – the explicit support for PV manufacturing have been stated in the EU industrial strategy.

ESMC have also requested for a meeting with the European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal – Frans TIMMERMANS, the European Commissioner for Energy – Kadri SIMSON, and European Commissioner for the Internal Market – Thierry BRETON, to further discuss the EU strategy on strengthening conditions and creating suitable incentives for PV manufacturing.

The letter to the commissioners has also been addressed in the political magazine Politico.

Download the official letter here.

Picture: © Voltec Solar