The topic of mandatory photovoltaics on all buildings has been going around for some time. The closer to the end of the legislative process and the entry into force of the regulations, the hotter the discussions on the Internet.
Introducing the requirement through legal means has more supporters (we will list the reasons in the article) than opponents. The latter point to the following counter-arguments: reluctance to impose orders/bans, subordinating the world to the demands of “eco-terrorists”, and increasing installation prices.
Contents:
REPower EU plan. Mandatory photovoltaics and its main assumptions.
What challenges do Member States face?
Accelerating the energy transformation, including the decarbonization process.
What are the expected deadlines for mandatory photovoltaics? When will photovoltaics be mandatory in Poland?
Economic, functional and technical exceptions.
Summary.
Mandatory photovoltaics on every building, i.e. the REPower EU plan.
In the coming years, the EU aims to make photovoltaics a legal requirement and not an individual consumer choice. The requirement to have a PV installation is provided for in the draft amendment to the EU “Buildings Directive”, i.e. EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive). It is part of REPower EU.
The assumption of EPBD is to introduce, at the legal level, the obligation to install photovoltaic installations on:
public and commercial buildings,
residential buildings
and ensuring that in every commune with more than 10,000 inhabitants inhabitants, at least one energy community will be created.
It’s not everything. Under REPower EU, new rules will gradually ban the use of gas and fossil fuel stoves. The regulations say that:
between 2028 and 2030, the installation of fossil fuel stoves will be banned in newly constructed buildings,
between 2035 and 2040, the ban will cover existing facilities.
Currently, buildings are responsible for 1/3 of CO2 emissions in the EU. The directive aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce the impact on environmental pollution.
Any changes are at the beginning of the legislative process. The European Parliament is conducting negotiations with the EU Council to agree on the final version, and member states submit comments and proposals for changes.
What steps must member countries take?
To implement the directive, each EU country faces many legislative and financial challenges. The speech includes: about:
simplifying procedures,
accelerating the process of obtaining permits,
ensuring the availability of connection capacity,
modernization and adaptation of network infrastructure,
preparation of support systems for investors,
programs supporting the combination of photovoltaics with energy storage and heat pumps (achieving the maximum payback time for the entire investment in less than 10 years).
One of the elements of increasing the use of solar energy in construction will be the integration of photovoltaic installations with the structural elements of buildings (roofs). Roof structures will probably soon be sold as a whole (i.e. with ready-made photovoltaic installations) to reduce costs (of investment and work).
Accelerating the energy transition and decarbonization
Moving away from fossil fuels (decarbonization), as well as accelerating the energy transformation (to reduce pollution), have long been listed among the EU’s priorities. This is how REPower EU was created. Its main assumption is to make the EU independent of fossil fuels (gas, oil) from Russia (and other regions of the world), while developing technologies related to the use of renewable energy sources.
These activities pursue an ambitious goal (developed in the EU Solar Energy strategy), which assumes:
by 2025, doubling the capacity from photovoltaics (compared to the level in 2020 – 136 GW) and reaching 320 GW,
by 2030, increasing the capacity from photovoltaic installations/farms to 600 GW,
and as a result, by 2030, energy consumption from renewable energy sources will be 45%.
REPower EU is part of the Fit For 55 climate regulation package as part of the European Green Deal. Its task is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by a minimum of 55% by 2030 (relative to the 1990 level). To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, it is also key to reduce energy consumption.
The estimated costs of introducing REPower EU by 2027 will amount to approximately EUR 210 billion and will be partially financed by savings made at the expense of Russia (approximately EUR 100 billion per year).
When will photovoltaics be mandatory in Poland?
The requirement to have photovoltaic installations will be extended in stages to cover subsequent groups of buildings. According to EU plans, all new buildings (residential, public, commercial) are to be zero-emission, starting from 2029. By 2050, all existing buildings will be zero-emission.
What do the next phases of the mandatory photovoltaics project on all buildings in the EU look like:
from 2026 for all new public and commercial facilities with a usable area above 250 m²:
– office buildings,
– Shopping centre,
– warehouses,
– schools, etc.,
from 2027 for existing public and commercial buildings with a usable area above 2,000 m²,
from 2028 for existing public (non-residential) and public buildings with a usable area above 750 m2,
from 2029 for all new residential buildings and all new covered parking lots,
from 2030 for all existing public buildings with a usable area above 250 m2.
The dates may be postponed (the EU is in the legislative stage and the dates have already changed).
Exceptions to the rule.
The photovoltaics obligation must be justified:
technically,
economically,
functionally.
Detached buildings with an area of less than 50 m2 will be exempt from the requirement to have the installation, e.g.:
sheds,
woodshed,
garages,
ROD summer houses and allotment houses
and
historical buildings,
places of worship,
basements and dugouts,
buildings in areas with minimal lighting or long interruptions in access to the sun (Arctic Circle),
exceptions at national level.
Summary, or what the directive will change for EU residents.
Thanks to the introduction of the provisions, the buildings will become:
energy-saving (improved energy performance will translate into lower bills),
maintenance-free (photovoltaics require virtually no work around the installation),
ecological (lower greenhouse gas emissions or total zero emissions).
Thus, everyone will benefit. Both in cleaner air and lower bills.