Key Insights on Solar Energy: Understanding Its Benefits and Impact in Europe

5 Things You Should Know About Solar Energy
——————————————–

Solar energy is one of the most abundant and easily accessible sources of renewable power worldwide. But how well do you truly know it? Various technologies harness the sun’s energy in distinct ways. Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity, solar thermal panels produce heat using solar energy, and concentrated solar power utilizes mirrors to focus sunlight to create heat and steam for electricity generation.

In 2008, solar photovoltaic energy accounted for just 1% of Europe’s total electricity. Today, it represents 10% across the EU, with even higher percentages in countries like Greece (23%), Spain (19%), and Germany (16%). This makes solar one of the EU’s fastest-growing energy sources. Between 2022 and 2024, nearly 150 GW of new solar capacity was added—enough to power about 42 million households—and an additional 70 GW is anticipated in 2025. This rapid expansion is indicative of the strong momentum towards renewable energy in the EU. With the EU’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, solar energy is expected to provide a significant portion of the Union’s renewable power. The EU has set ambitious targets, aiming for at least 700 GW of new solar generation capacity by 2030—four times more than in 2020. This transition is already in progress: in 2023, renewables surpassed fossil fuels in electricity generation (1,200 TWh vs. 788 TWh), with renewables reaching a record 47% of overall electricity generation by 2024. This surge is largely driven by wind and solar energy, with solar alone increasing by 15% in just one year.

Despite its rapid growth and clear climate benefits, solar energy—particularly photovoltaics—continues to be surrounded by myths and misunderstandings. Let’s clarify the facts. Here are five key things you should know about solar energy:

### 1. Photovoltaic Systems Are Safe
Solar panels are a valuable addition to homes, generating renewable electricity even on cloudy days. They are among the most reliable technologies available. While any electrical device poses a potential fire risk, incidents involving solar installations are extremely rare. Data from SolarPower Europe indicates that fires caused by solar panels occur in only 0.006% to 0.014% of cases in Germany (from 1993 to 2013) and the Netherlands (from 2015 to 2018), significantly lower than the rates for many common household appliances. When issues do arise, they are usually linked to poor installation or faulty components rather than the solar technology itself.

Across Europe, stringent safeguards ensure the safety of solar installations. All solar panels, whether imported or manufactured within the EU, must comply with strict technical requirements under EU product safety legislation and standards. Additionally, EU countries are required to have certification schemes for solar photovoltaic installers and designers as mandated by the Renewables Directive. These schemes encompass training programs and publicly available lists of certified installers. EU regulations also govern how photovoltaic systems connect to the electricity grid while allowing for some flexibility in national requirements.

### 2. Solar Panels Take Up Very Little Space
Solar energy can be harnessed in various forms and sizes. Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels can be installed in compact spaces such as rooftops and balconies, or even integrated into buildings as solar roof tiles or facades. In some EU countries, homeowners and tenants can install plug-in solar panels on balcony railings, walls, or terraces. These systems connect directly to the household grid, providing clean electricity for self-consumption and helping to reduce energy bills.

Not all buildings are ideal for solar panel installation, but this does not mean you are left out. Energy communities and energy sharing can offer smart solutions. Through energy communities, citizens, local authorities, and businesses can collaborate to invest in clean energy projects, including solar energy, at a local level. This allows them to produce, sell, and use renewable energy collectively, even if the panels are not on their own rooftops. Energy sharing enables you to distribute the electricity you generate to neighbors, friends, or family. In essence, you don’t need solar panels on your own rooftop to benefit from solar power in your home.

While large-scale solar farms may require more land, their efficiency is rapidly improving. For example, the Cestas Solar Park in France covers 265 hectares (roughly 8% of the size of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris) and has an installed capacity of 300 megawatt-peak, generating enough power for over 70,000 households annually. Innovative and integrated approaches, such as agrisolar, show significant promise by allowing solar power production to coexist with agricultural use, keeping land primarily dedicated to farming. Additionally, floating solar installations on bodies of water, sometimes paired with hydropower, represent another innovative way to expand solar generation without competing for land.

### 3. Solar Plants and Wildlife Coexist Harmoniously
Like all human activities, the use of solar technologies does have some environmental impact. However, climate change poses the single greatest threat to biodiversity, affecting countless species and ecosystems across Europe and the world. A temperature increase of 1.5°C could lead to significant habitat loss for various insect species (6%), plant species (8%), and vertebrates (4%). Currently, we are on track for a temperature increase of 2°C or more. Without urgent intervention, many species will face dire consequences.

Renewable energy sources like solar power are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing electricity generated from fossil fuels. They play a crucial role in combating global warming and its increasing threat to wildlife. Research from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) emphasizes that the expansion of renewables, including solar energy, must be carefully managed to protect biodiversity. Climate action and nature protection can—and must—go hand in hand.

With proper planning, renewable deployment can benefit ecosystems. Solar farms can aid in habitat restoration on degraded land, while innovative approaches include repurposing former industrial or mining sites, installing floating solar on artificial lakes, and designing areas to enhance biodiversity and enable wildlife mobility. Most solar power systems in the EU are installed on rooftops—already developed spaces that do not exert additional pressure on land or nature. Rooftop solar is quick to install, helps protect consumers from energy price volatility, and avoids conflicts over land and biodiversity. Scientific studies suggest that rooftops could meet nearly 25% of the EU’s electricity needs—a significant potential resource.

### 4. Solar Energy is Affordable
In 2024, renewables accounted for nearly half of all electricity generated in Europe, up from 38% in 2021 and 30% in 2015. This steady increase is driven by the EU’s target to achieve at least 42.5% of renewables in the overall energy mix by 2030. Despite this growth, households and businesses have encountered rising energy bills due to the energy crisis, particularly noticeable since late 2021 due to geopolitical tensions and the EU’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. As of 2024, fossil fuels still comprise around 28% of the EU’s electricity generation.

Solar energy, like wind, represents a much more cost-effective alternative. According to the International Energy Agency, solar is now among the cheapest options for new electricity generation. The cost of developing new solar capacity has plummeted over the past decade for both photovoltaic and concentrated solar power. Solar photovoltaic energy now costs less than half that of coal, making it a significant contributor to the EU’s power supply. In addition to lower costs and emissions, expanding solar capacity helps the EU reduce its dependence on imported energy sources and enhances energy independence.

### 5. Solar Energy Can Strengthen Our Energy System’s Resilience
A resilient energy system is vital for ensuring energy security, economic competitiveness, and public safety in Europe. Solar energy plays a key role in this resilience. One of the major advantages of solar generation is its often decentralized nature: much of it is produced close to where it is consumed, reducing energy losses and enhancing system resilience. While large utility-scale solar plants make substantial contributions, rooftop photovoltaic systems on homes, businesses, and industrial sites accounted for 58% of the EU’s solar photovoltaic installations in 2024, compared to 42% from utility-scale solar.

When combined with energy storage, the role of solar energy in enhancing system resilience becomes even more pronounced. Batteries allow solar systems to supply electricity even at night or during grid disruptions. For example, during the April 2025 blackout in the Iberian Peninsula, the University of Almería remained operational thanks to its on-site solar and battery storage. The blackout’s impact lasted only 10 seconds, which was the time required to activate the emergency power supply.

Although solar is a variable energy source, grid operators have the tools necessary to ensure reliability and flexibility within the electricity system. A diverse mix of variable renewables, such as solar and wind, can be effectively balanced across the grid with adequate transmission capacity and flexibility, including energy storage and demand response—when consumers shift their electricity use to periods of higher supply (and lower cost). Additionally, reliable low-carbon energy sources such as geothermal, sustainably sourced biomass, biogas, and nuclear power can help fill any gaps, providing power regardless of weather conditions. Together, these resources can create a secure, low-carbon electricity system that meets demand continuously. Furthermore, solar photovoltaic systems can contribute to grid stability by providing essential grid services that enhance the overall system’s sustainability and resilience.

### Conclusion
Solar energy has come a long way since 1839, when French physicist Edmond Becquerel first discovered that sunlight could generate electricity. Today, it is more than just a clean and abundant energy source; it serves as a catalyst for economic innovation, job creation, and sustainable industry in Europe. The solar workforce is growing rapidly: by the end of 2023, the EU photovoltaic sector employed 826,000 people—a 27% increase from 2022. If this trend continues, Europe could see over 1 million solar workers by 2027, according to SolarPower Europe.

Beyond job creation and innovation, solar energy also enhances Europe’s energy independence. By generating clean electricity domestically, we reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels, improve energy security, and help households and businesses lower their energy bills.