SolarPower Europe Celebrates 100GW Solar Power Installed in

SolarPower Europe Celebrates
100GW Solar Power Installed in
Europe
Brussels, 4 May 2016 – According to new information from IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS), Europe recently
reached an important solar energy milestone, installing 100 gigawatts (GW) of grid-connected
photovoltaic (PV) power. To mark this key development, SolarPower Europe, the industry
association for solar power in the region, will hold a celebratory event on 29 September 2016 in
Brussels.
“This is an unprecedented achievement and a cause for celebration,” said Oliver Schäfer, president
of SolarPower Europe. “Just a few years ago solar was considered to be a niche alternative
technology, but it is now a major element of our energy system. In fact solar power is one of the
most competitive forms of energy generation in Europe today.”
Rising from less than 3 GW of solar PV capacity in 2005, Europe surpassed 100 GW in the second
quarter of 2016, according to IHS. This achievement is primarily due to two factors – an 80 percent
reduction in costs and regulatory frameworks supportive of solar as countries have acted to meet
the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive. “In an increasingly regulated environment, the
European PV industry now faces new challenges in installing the next 100 gigawatts,” said Josefin
Berg, senior analyst for IHS Technology.
“Europe was once the cradle of solar energy, now the rest of the world is catching up,” said James
Watson, CEO of SolarPower Europe. “In the current post-feed-in tariff climate we must make sure
we have the right electricity market design and the right long-term investments signals for solar to
flourish. We hope that the European Commission’s forthcoming market design reform and
Renewable Energy Directive will pave the way for the 200 gigawatt benchmark.”
The celebration event in September will include a keynote speech by European Commission Vice
President, Maroš Šefčovič, who is responsible for the Energy Union. Leading up to the event,
SolarPower Europe is encouraging solar supporters across Europe to mark this milestone, by
following the hashtag #EUsolar100GW on Twitter.
About IHS (www.ihs.com)
IHS (NYSE: IHS) is the leading source of insight, analytics and expertise in critical areas that shape
today’s business landscape. Businesses and governments in more than 140 countries around the
globe rely on the comprehensive content, expert independent analysis and flexible delivery
methods of IHS to make high-impact decisions and develop strategies with speed and confidence.
IHS has been in business since 1959 and became a publicly traded company on the New York
Stock Exchange in 2005. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, USA, IHS is committed to
sustainable, profitable growth and employs nearly 9,000 people in 33 countries around the world.
IHS is a registered trademark of IHS Inc. All other company and product names may be
trademarks of their respective owners. © 2016 IHS Inc. All rights reserved.
About SolarPower Europe
SolarPower Europe, the new EPIA (European Photovoltaic Industry Association), is a member-led
association representing organisations active along the whole value chain. Our aim is to shape the
regulatory environment and enhance business opportunities for solar power in Europe.
For more information:
Kristina Thoring
SolarPower Europe, Political Communications Adviser
Tel: +32 27 09 55 26
Email: [email protected]