Political benefits

The European Union (EU), through its policies, is the most significant promoter of renewable energies in Europe. About 70% of national legislation has EU legislation origins – which is why it is so important to have a credible and strong PV industry voice in Brussels.

EPIA represents a unique voice for the PV industry at European level, via the following activities (non-exhaustive list- more on Policy section):

• EPIA has taken the lead of the Solar Europe Industry Initiative, within the frame of the EU Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan), which sets new ambitions for the Industry to cover up to 12% of EU electricity demand by 2020.  SET For 2020 is intended to provide the Industry with strategic guidance through means of a clear and concrete roadmap for accelerated growth. SET For 2020 will define the strategic priorities of EPIA for the coming years.
• EPIA has actively participated in the elaboration of the Directive on the promotion of the use of Energy from Renewable Sources (RES), providing a clear and beneficial legal framework to foster the PV sector.
• EPIA is working to ensure that the potential of PV is taken fully into account in the Mediterranean Solar Plan, the objective of which is to reach 20 GW of new renewable energy capacities by 2020 in the Mediterranean region.
• With the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), EPIA’s objective is to seize the opportunity of this recast to boost PV deployment in buildings.
• REACH (Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) aims to streamline and improve the former legislative framework for chemicals in the EU. In order to avoid any disruption in the supply chain, EPIA has communicated to its Members the crucial need to engage in dialogue with its suppliers to ensure the latter comply with REACH requirements (i.e. register the chemical substances that the PV industry is using).

EPIA defends the PV industry from inappropriate legislation (non-exhaustive list -more on Policy section):

• EPIA is working on the recast of the Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and of the Directive on the Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in order to keep PV out of the scope of these directives and promote the on-going development of a voluntary sectorial agreement on a take-back and recycling scheme for end-of-life modules by PV CYCLE.

EPIA is also present at the national level:

• EPIA supports the inclusion of PV in the Renewable Energy National Action Plans
• EPIA supports national PV industry associations in their objectives
• EPIA maintains and supports the extension of feed-in tariffs and any other beneficial support schemes
• EPIA collaborates with other PV stakeholders and coordinates the Secretariat of the European PV Technology Platform
• EPIA provides expertise on request  

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