The Commission's in-house scientific service, the Directorate-General Joint Research Centre, has developed an interactive map allowing users to calculate the solar power potential of any location in Europe. The Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS), available online since 30 March 2007 also allows an on-line assessment of the electricity generation from photovoltaic systems in Europe, Africa and South-West Asia.
The PVGIS map shows that "an identical solar system will generate twice as much energy in sunny areas of Europe, such as Malta and Southern Spain, than in areas such as Scotland or Northern Scandinavia." Meanwhile, the first commercial concentrating solar power plant in Europe was inaugurated in Seville, a town in the southern Spain, on 30 March 2007.
In addition, the PVGIS provides up-to-date research information about the development of photovoltaic technology in general and figures on the share which solar energy represents of total national electricity consumption in each member state.
At the 2007 spring summit, European leaders agreed to meet 20% of their energy needs with renewables, such as solar, wind and hydro power, by 2020. According to the council conclusions, "differentiated national overall targets" should be derived from the overall 20% binding EU figure, "taking account of different national starting points and potentials, including the existing level of renewable energies and energy mix".
Major discussions ahead include how the 20% targets on renewable energies will be divided between member states. The PVGIS mapping service will play an important role in discussions determining the share of solar power targets for each member state. An EU directive on renewables is set to be published by the end of 2007.
