EU Reaches Strengthening Agreement! New Buildings must Install Solar Energy

Recently, the European Parliament and the European Council have reached a provisional agreement on strengthening the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which aims to improve the energy performance of buildings and require new buildings to be prepared for the installation of solar energy.

According to the revised EPBD, EU member states need to reduce the average primary energy use of residential buildings by 16% by 2030 and by 20-22% by 2035. All countries can choose which buildings to target and what measures to take.

Measures implemented by EU member states need to ensure that at least a 55% reduction in average primary energy use is achieved by retrofitting the worst-performing buildings. However, historic buildings or vacation homes are exempt.

For non-domestic buildings, the revised EPBD requires progressive improvements through minimum energy performance standards. By 2030 and 2033, 16% and 26% of the worst-performing buildings will need renovation, respectively.

The EPBD also stipulates that financing measures must incentivize and complement refurbishments and specifically target disadvantaged customers and the worst-performing buildings.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said, “Renovation is an investment in a better future. It improves quality of life, allows people to invest their savings elsewhere and boosts our economy.”

To drive the implementation of these measures, EU member states will develop national building refurbishment plans, identifying national strategies for decarbonizing buildings and how to address remaining barriers, such as financing, training and attracting more skilled workers.

Countries will also develop national building renovation passport schemes to guide owners through phased renovations to achieve zero-emission buildings.

In addition, EPBD requires EU member states to ensure that new buildings are suitable for installing rooftop solar photovoltaic or solar thermal systems. From 2027, existing public and non-domestic buildings must be equipped with solar energy.

In March, the European Commission proposed reforms to the EU’s electricity market design. The European Parliament voted to approve EPBD, and rooftop solar is also on the table.

Jan Osenberg, Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe, said these measures will strengthen the effective integration of solar PV projects into building construction processes.

“For example, rooftop construction will soon be integrated with solar installations, reducing costs and allowing us to use our limited existing workforce as efficiently as possible.”

Before revising the EPBD, the European Commission also released an action plan at the end of November to accelerate grid promotion and improve grid efficiency.