European solar industry may create around 500,000 new jobs by 2030

Solar associations from 13 countries and eight major European research centres have signed a cooperation agreement, with the support of the European Commission, for the development of a strategy to boost solar power. They aim is to foster a successful climate and energy transition in order to achieve the goals of the European Commission's long-term vision “A Clean Planet for All”.

The signed document states, amongst other things, that solar power must have an important role in the generation and distribution of renewable energy. It also has great potential to produce renewable hydrogen, which is required for the decarbonisation of sectors where it is more difficult to act.

Europe spearheads innovation in the photovoltaic field; the European solar industry may create around 500,000 jobs by 2030. The countries and regions with carbon-based power generation offer opportunities for solar power to grow, supporting their industrial restructuring.

Associations signing this agreement

SolarPower Europe, PV Austria (Austria), EDORA (Belgium), Swissolar (Switzerland), Solární asociace (Czech Republic), BNE (Germany), BSW Solar (Germany), HELAPCO (Greece), UNEF (Spain), Enerplan (France), Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables (France), Italia Solare (Italy), MANAP (Hungary), Stowarzyszenie (Poland), APESF (Portugal), APREN (Portugal), Solar Trade Association (UK), and EUREC - Association of the European Renewable Energy Research Centres.

Research centres signing this agreement

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, CEA INES, CSEM Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology, Fraunhofer IEE, IMEC Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, PI Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin AG, TECNALIA, and WIP Renewable Energies.