The future is Sunny!

In a sunny move towards greener energy practices, European legislators have adopted a new approach within the European Performance of Buildings Directive. This step includes mandatory solar installations on buildings across the European Union, signalling a positive shift towards renewable energy. Beginning gradually in 2026, this directive encourages the integration of solar installations into building projects, promoting a more eco-friendly approach to home energy consumption.

For residential buildings, member states will have to introduce measures to reduce the average primary energy use by at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20 to 22% by 2035. If technically and economically suitable, member states would have to deploy solar installations progressively in public and non-residential buildings, depending on their size, and in all new residential buildings by 2030.

“This week’s progressive decision-making around solar installations has the potential to accelerate the home energy transition across Europe. This isn’t just about changing where energy comes from; it’s about empowering households to make smarter choices about their energy consumption. By generating energy where it’s used, we’re ushering in a new era of sustainability and efficiency in our homes.”

—Håkan Ludvigson, CEO of Eliq

Households transitioning to renewable energy

In alignment with the EU Solar Standard’s push for solar rooftop installations, understanding energy consumption becomes crucial for households transitioning to renewable energy. While energy providers are increasingly providing customers with smart meter data for insights and savings advice, there’s a growing gap for prosumers with solar panels (PV).

PV Disaggregation: Unlocking energy insights for prosumers

A solution to this gap is Eliq’s innovative PV Disaggregation solution. Unlike traditional methods requiring additional hardware or specific PV inverters, Eliq’s approach seamlessly integrates with existing systems. By utilising advanced machine learning techniques and smart electricity meter data, Eliq estimates home consumption and PV system generation, providing valuable insights without the need for additional installations or equipment compatibility concerns.

With this technology, households can unlock the full potential of their solar installations, making informed decisions to optimise energy usage and maximise savings, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

Dutch households are setting an example

The shift towards solar energy is evident across Europe. One example of this can be found in the Netherlands. In 2022, the country marked another record year for residential PV installations, potentially adding 2 GW of new solar capacity, according to provisional figures from grid operators. This substantial growth underscores the Netherlands’ position as best-in-class when it comes to solar adoption, inspiring other European nations to follow suit in embracing renewable energy solutions.