Europe is the most solarised region in the world, but deployment of technology needs to be stepped up if the bloc is to meet its climate commitments.
Meanwhile the EU and China have been locked in a long-running trade war over Chinese solar products, with the European Commission imposing punitive anti-dumping measures on Chinese imports.
This Special Report investigates whether the time is right to remove those duties, as the Commission considers whether to bring the dispute to an end or keep the measures in place.
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Europe’s climate policy goals hinge on renewables, solar power
The Paris Agreement on climate change is an international commitment that can only be kept by the European Union if effective, consistent policy drives the shift to a low-carbon economy through action which boosts renewable energy such as solar power.
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German solar power and its struggles on the global market
Almost 49,000 employees, about 3.7 million installations and a saving of more than 28 million tonnes of CO2 last year alone: the German solar industry is impressive. But it is going to need freer trade and new ideas if it is to remain an important player in Germany’s energy transition. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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400 companies, NGOs demand immediate end of trade measures on Chinese solar
More than 400 companies from across the European Union, and leading environmental NGOS, have demanded the immediate end of punitive trade measures on solar panels and cells imported from China.
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Fjellner MEP: EU tariffs on Chinese solar imports are a Commission-backed cartel
EU trade defence measures on solar imports from China are, in effect, a European Commission-backed cartel, which benefits only German and Chinese panel producers and makes the fight against climate change more expensive, Christofer Fjellner MEP has said.
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Commission calls for tougher EU trade defence measures
The European Commission is pushing for EU leaders to back stricter trade defence instruments against countries such as China at their summit in Brussels today (20 October).
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Solar power in Europe: Free trade or trade duties?
Europe is the most solarised region in the world with 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power installed.