Record-breaking year for solar energy

Annual global solar installations grew by around 50% in 2016, according to new figures released today.

With European demand down by over 21% to 6.7 GW last year though, the trade organisation wants stakeholders across the continent to redouble their efforts to capitalise on the opportunities offered by solar energy.

“The European Commission’s proposed Clean Energy Package is a good starting point. If it will result in market rules that support the energy transition and enable a flexible system that puts prosumers at its core, then we have the grounds for making solar great again,” added Alexandre Roesch, Policy Director at SolarPower Europe.

Corporations were praised for showing increasing commitment towards renewable energy.

Bruce Douglas, COO of Solar Power Europe said, “In our new corporate sourcing campaign we see the commitment of a quickly growing number of corporations to switch to 100% renewables. We believe that a goal of at least 35% renewables by 2030 is adequate for the EU, rather than the 27% proposed.”