Press releases
This page gives you access to all EPIA press releases published within the last two years. Furthermore, you can download the EPIA logo, search in the picture database and consult the archive for older press releases.
Solar photovoltaic market continues to grow in Europe and around the world
Brussels, 24 January 2012 - The European Photovoltaic Industry Association’s (EPIA) new Market Report 2011 shows important increase in grid-connected capacity of PV systems, but changing economics will require development of new markets in the world.
PV industry ready to face the new challenges posed by the revised Directive on collection and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment
Brussels, 21 December 2011 - After three years of negotiations, European policy-makers today agreed upon a recast of the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, better known as WEEE.
Strong business outlook for the solar photovoltaic industry, says the financial sector
Hamburg, 7 September 2011 – Top-level representatives of the financial and business communities joined CEOs from the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry to explore the future of investing in solar power at the Photovoltaic Investors Day, on 6 September in Hamburg, Germany.
Solar photovoltaic electricity can be a fully competitive energy source in Europe by 2020
Brussels, 5 September 2011 – New analysis of major European electricity markets shows solar photovoltaic electricity (PV) can achieve competitiveness in some market segments as early as 2013, and in all segments by the end of this decade.
Key EPIA activities at 26th EU PVSEC
Brussels, 1 September 2011 - EPIA, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, announces several important events at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Hamburg, Germany from 5-9 September.
Industry leaders and financial community explore opportunities for investing in solar power
Brussels, 18 July 2011 - At a time when the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is experiencing unrivalled growth, and when investors are weathering more challenging regulatory and market conditions, top-level representatives of the financial and business communities will join CEOs from the PV industry to explore the future of investing in solar power.
Photovoltaic power well on the way to contributing an important share of the future energy mix
Brussels, 4 May 2011 - Over the past decade, the photovoltaic (PV) market has experienced unrivalled growth among all energy generating technologies. At the end of last year, the global photovoltaic market has reached a cumulative installed capacity of some 40 GW, with an added capacity of 16.6 GW during 2010. These developments are just some of the highlights in the Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics until 2015, presented today by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).
EPIA - New Secretary General
Verona, 3rd May 2011 - The Board of Directors of EPIA, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, is pleased to announce that Reinhold Buttgereit (50) has been appointed as Secretary General from 1st May this year.
Dr. Martin Heming, Chief Executive Officer of SCHOTT Solar AG elected as new Director of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
Paris, 17 March 2011 - Gathered in Paris, France, on the occasion of EPIA’s Annual General Meeting, the Members of the world’s largest association devoted to the solar photovoltaic electricity market have elected Dr. Martin Heming as new Director to the Board of the association. Heming, born in Germany in 1956, is CEO of SCHOTT Solar AG and responsible for strategy and business development, research & development, public relations, human resources, auditing, sales and marketing.
Solar Photovoltaics: 2010 a record year in all respects
Brussels, 22 February 2011 – In 2010 solar photovoltaic power (PV) was the leading renewable energy technology in terms of new capacity growth by almost 13,000 MW in Europe. The energy output of these new PV installations corresponds to the electricity production of two large coal-fired power plants. At the end of 2010, the cumulative installed capacity of PV in the EU amounted to more than 28,000 MW, with an energy output that equals the electricity consumption of around 10 million households in Europe.
European Photovoltaic Industry asks British Government to think twice how it will review its Feed-in Tariff
London, 11 February 2011 - In view of the announced anticipated review of the UK Feed-in Tariff one year ahead of schedule, the European PV association asks the UK government to take all the necessary caution to let the market deploy and avoid destabilizing many British communities and companies which are starting to invest.
Solar photovoltaic on the brink of economic breakthrough
Brussels, 2 February 2011 – Global investments in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology could double from €35-40 billion today to over €70 billion in 2015, according to a study published today by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and Greenpeace International. The estimated investments in the European Union alone would rise from today’s €25-30 billion to over € 35 billion in 2015.
Cost-effective financing of photovoltaics: European Commission proposes non-optimum solutions
Brussels, 31 January 2011 – Today, the European Commission released a communication titled “Renewable Energy: Progressing to 2020”, in which it suggests ways to ensure a more cost-effective financing of renewables. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) welcomes the efforts of the European Commission in this field but is concerned about some propositions that could prove to be counter-productive and underlines the importance of maintaining and fine-tuning existing successful national support schemes and addressing bureaucratic barriers.
First breakthrough in solar photovoltaic module recycling, experts say
Madrid, 25 January 2011 – Over 200 international photovoltaic (PV) and waste management experts from all around the world today participated in the “2nd International Conference on PV Module Recycling” held in Madrid, Spain. The second edition showcased the newest in PV module recycling and prompted an active discussion about the lessons learned from recycling schemes recently launched in Europe and abroad.
Czech Republic: the adoption of a retroactive measure breaks investors’ confidence
Brussels, 9 December 2010: After the adoption by the Czech Parliament on 9 November 2010 of an amendment on the retroactive impact of revenues from PV systems, yesterday the Czech Senate confirmed the decision. With immediate effect, PV plants that were guaranteed to receive a fixed Feed-in-Tariff for a period of 20 years will have to pay a tax on the revenues generated - this breaks the confidence of investors.
COP16: European industry calls upon world governments to support photovoltaic electricity as key solution to bridge the global energy gap and reduce emissions
Cancun, 7 December 2010: The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) presented today at COP16 concrete evidence in support of an accelerated deployment of photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity across the globe to bring clean energy to both the developed and developing world.
Concentrator Photovoltaics Technology has Reached Commercialization
Munich, 11th November 2010 - Approximately 20 MW of Concentrator Photovoltaics (CPV) systems will be deployed in 2010 and the market is expected to reach a GW level in the next 5 years. With multiple commercial scale power plants connected to the grid in 2010, CPV technology is now ready for take-off.
Photovoltaics needs a reliable regulatory framework to develop full potential
Brussels, 11th November 2010 - Yesterday, the European Commission released its energy strategy communication titled “Energy 2020”. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) recalls the importance of preserving all necessary national support instruments in order to accompany the transition of renewables, in particular photovoltaics, to their full competitiveness in the short and medium term.
Thin Film technologies go mainstream
Munich, 10th November 2010 - With ramped-up production capacities, Thin Films show great potential for large-scale projects and buildings. Their bankability is now better ensured and with prices continuously dropping, the technology is definitely becoming mainstream. Whatever the technology, appropriate regulatory frameworks are now crucial in ensuring an effective integration of photovoltaic (PV) electricity to the grid. These were the main conclusions of the 3rd EPIA International Thin Film Conference, held yesterday in Munich, Germany.
Photovoltaic power poised to become mainstream source of energy in all Sunbelt countries by 2030
Brussels, 28 October 2010 - Countries of the Sunbelt (located within +/- 35° latitude around the equator) represent today about 75% of the world’s population and 40% of the global electricity demand. Furthermore, about 80% of the forecasted growth of the world electricity demand in the coming 20 years will originate from fast developing economies in that region. Characterized by an intense solar irradiation and often, high electricity prices, countries of the Sunbelt, where PV has a unique competitive potential, constitute an immense opportunity for PV to become mainstream by 2020 and to become a major electricity source by 2030.
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Roofs could technically generate up to 40% of EU’s electricity demand by 2020
Madrid, 23 June 2010 - With a total ground floor area over 22,000 km2, 40% of all building roofs and 15% of all facades in EU 27 are suited for PV applications. This means that over 1,500 GWp of PV could technically be installed in Europe which would generate annually about 1,400TWh, representing 40% of the total electricity demand by 2020.
The European Solar Photovoltaic Industry is ready to co-finance 1,235 million euro in R&D in order to achieve competitiveness in all its market segments
Madrid, 1 June 2010 - The Solar Europe Industry Initiative (SEII) that will be launched on Thursday in Madrid during the European SET Plan Conference will contribute to achieving 12% Solar Photovoltaic (PV) supply of the EU electricity demand by 2020.
PV could significantly overshoot the 20 GW target of the MSP
Valencia, 12 May 2010 - Gathered together in Valencia for the first of a 2-day high-level conference on the Mediterranean Solar Plan (MSP) within the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, over 550 participants, including ministers and representatives from the 43 Mediterranean countries, have discussed the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity in the Mediterranean region. The MSP constitutes one of the major initiatives of the Union for the Mediterranean and its prime objective is to develop 20 GW of renewable electricity capacity by 2020 in the Southern Mediterranean area, as well as the necessary infrastructures for the electricity interconnection with Europe. The conference is intended to enhance and facilitate the implementation of the MSP in terms of infrastructural requirements, policy frameworks and associated financing..
European Solar Days: The sun shines all over Europe
Brussels, 3 May 2010 - An increasing number of countries will participate to the 3rd edition of the European Solar Days from 1 to 16 May 2010. Around 6.600 events are planned in 17 European countries for this year’s Solar Days campaign, involving several hundred thousands of citizens at local level. Solar energy is already contributing significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, supplying millions of European households with green electricity and renewable heating and cooling.
Ingmar Wilhelm, new President of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association: “The beginning of a new chapter in the history of EPIA”
Brussels, 14 April 2010 - During the Annual General Meeting of EPIA, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, which took place in Rome on 18 March 2010, Ingmar Wilhelm, Executive Vice President of Enel Green Power responsible for Business Development world-wide, was elected the new President of the world's largest association devoted to the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. His appointment clearly marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of EPIA and demonstrates both the strong interest of the PV industry to move further down the value chain to electricity markets and clients as well as the increasing attractiveness that the European energy industry sees in the current and future potential of PV technologies.
A bright future shines on the solar photovoltaic electricity market
Brussels, 12 April 2010: The global solar photovoltaic electricity (PV) market counted an additional increase in installed capacity of about 7.2 GW in 2009, reaching a total capacity of over 22 GW world-wide. This has been the most important annual capacity increase ever and is particularly impressive in light of the difficult financial and economical circumstances during the past year. In 2010, global cumulative installed PV capacity is expected to grow by at least 40%, while the annual growth is expected to increase by more than 15%. During 2009, Germany remained the largest market, with Italy ranking second and Japan and the U.S. markets to follow. Germany most probably will remain the largest market in 2010, while new markets in particular from Southern Europe, Asia and the U.S. will grow significantly.
Ingmar Wilhelm from Enel Green Power elected as new President of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
Rome, 19 March 2010: Gathered together in Rome on the occasion of its Annual General Meeting yesterday, the members of the largest photovoltaic (PV) industry association worldwide have elected their new Board of Directors. Ingmar Wilhelm, Executive Vice-President of Enel Green Power, is elected as President .
