About: solar power
Renewables overtook fossil fuels as EU’s main power source in 2020
Renewables generated 38% of the EU’s electricity in 2020, overtaking coal and gas to become the main source of electricity for the first time ever in Europe, according to fresh data released on Monday (25 January).
Poland eyes hard split with coal
Coal-dependent Poland aims to shut its last mine by the EU's 2050 target, but experts warn the move to go green comes late and faces many hurdles.
Solar’s unique opportunity to lead the re-industrialisation of Europe
Planning for large scale, high volume solar PV manufacturing here in Europe may seem like a tall task, but it is becoming more and more apparent that the scale of the climate crisis dwarfs even the most ambitious of plans, writes Stefan Degener.
‘Postcard from the future’: Virus and solar cause record fall in CO2
Business interruption during the coronavirus crisis has caused a 14% fall in demand for electricity in Europe over the past month. Combined with record solar output, this has caused a 39% drop in related CO2 emissions, according to a new analysis.
Solar seen claiming up to 60% of EU power mix by 2050
A 100% renewable energy scenario developed by Finland’s LUT University predicts that electricity could make up 85% of the EU’s energy mix by 2050, more than 60% of which would be generated by solar panels.
20 Years of Germany’s EEG: Clear unwillingness of the current government
Germany's energy transition or 'Energiewende', which came into force 20 years ago today, would not have been possible without the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). As a number of questions still remain unanswered, EURACTIV Germany talked to one of its architects.
Biggest battery in Europe set to land on British shores
Oil and gas giant Shell has plans for a 100 megawatt grid storage battery in the west of England. It is slated to be the biggest battery in Europe once it is completed later this year and will be crucial to the UK's quest to remain the continent's top wind power player.
North Macedonia wins EU praise for pioneering coal-to-solar shift
The European Union energy watchdog praised North Macedonia on Wednesday (19 February) for a pioneering project among EU aspirants to transform an ageing coal mine into two solar power plants, in line with goals to cut pollution and tackle climate change.
Europe’s largest floating solar plant opens in France
The most powerful floating solar PV plant in Europe was inaugurated in southern France on Friday (18 October), marking another milestone in the development of solar energy.
Baltic power games in the ascendancy
Europe’s power politics are playing out more and more in the Baltic Sea, as the energy potential of the sea basin shifts more into the limelight.
Will airline companies cause their own crash?
Airline companies should embrace their changing industry if they ever want to come out on top again, said Bertrand Piccard, president of the Solar Impulse Foundation.
Dutch launch prototype solar car with 720km range
The prototype of a solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) able to travel 720km on a single charge was officially unveiled in Katwijk, the Netherlands today (25 June).
The EU needs a ‘Green New Deal’
Europe needs its own ‘Green New Deal’ to stave off the perfect storm of populism, climate change and economic crisis. Instead, the EU has adopted confused energy and environment policies which could be self-defeating in the long run, writes Vincente Lopez.
‘Historic breakthrough’: Norway’s giant oil fund dives into renewables
Norway’s $1tn oil fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, is to plunge billions of dollars into wind and solar power projects. The decision follows Saudi Arabia’s oil fund selling off its last oil and gas assets. EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian, reports.
Renewable energies chip away at coal power, stats show
New wind, solar and biomass power generation displaced hard coal last year – especially in Germany, France and the UK – according to a 2018 review of European electricity statistics by two leading energy policy think tanks.
China seen as ‘absolute winner’ of clean energy transition
The transformation brought by renewable energies will alter the global distribution of power, relations between states, and the environmental drivers of geopolitical instability, according to a major international study published on Friday (11 January).
Solar households to be paid for excess power after UK government U-turn
The UK government has made a U-turn on its decision to end the solar "export tariff", confirming that households which install solar panels in the future will be paid for excess power they generate and send to the grid. EURACTIV's media partner edie.net reports.
EU’s electricity market revamp hailed as ‘game-changer’ for clean energy
A recent agreement to reform Europe’s electricity market has enshrined into EU law the unprecedented right of consumers to produce, sell and share their own electricity in newly-defined “citizen energy communities”.
EU electricity rules on cusp of unlocking power of renewables
Work on revamping the EU’s electricity market could wrap up on Wednesday (5 December), when negotiators are set to finalise new rules that will help activate energy laws that have already been brokered.
Solar PV sector hails EU deal on small-scale ‘citizen energy’
UPDATE: EU negotiators reached agreement Monday evening (12 November) on a legal framework for “citizen energy communities” in a deal solar PV manufacturers hailed as a victory for small-scale renewable energy production.
Spain targets 100% renewable power by 2050
Spain’s government has published a new climate plan that targets a 100% renewable energy electricity system by 2050, with goals that outstrip those adopted by the EU and a ban on new gas and oil exploration.
Mega infrastructure projects win over clean energy in Visegrad Four
In the Visegrad countries, decision makers prefer their historical favourites – coal and nuclear – to renewable sources and energy efficiency. As the Global Climate Action Summit resumes in San Francisco, it’s important to realise that corporate leadership can also shape the outlook for clean energy in Eastern Europe, writes Ada Ámon.
‘Super Grids Silk Road’ takes shape in Kazakhstan
A series of conferences dedicated to the China-promoted One Belt One Road initiative are taking place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. Plans to launch a gigantic renewable energy project with the potential to supply the EU were also mooted.