Solar thermal energy is one of the few renewable energy sources manufactured in Europe, with a very strong value chain, as demonstrated by our “Made in Europe” campaign. The sector is ready to scale up and therefore needs support to maintain its manufacturing sites on the continent. Clearly recognised as a strategic net-zero technology under the Net Zero Industry Act (June 24), Solar Heat Europe continues its advocacy work notably through the policy files on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) extension, the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) and solar gas.
The most advanced proposal is the extension of the CBAM to downstream goods. The aim of this proposal is to introduce carbon tax for importers of certain solar thermal products, as is already the case for aluminium, steel, cement, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. The solar thermal collectors customs codes were not initially included in the Commission’s proposal. Following negotiations in the Council, Member States included solar thermal customs codes in their final position (see through this link, page 88). The European Parliament’s ENVI Committee also voted to include solar thermal customs codes on 6 July. The next milestone for the CBAM extension is expected in September with the plenary vote, followed by the trilogue negotiations. Thanks to the support of Member States and the Parliament, and the active work of Solar Heat Europe, European solar thermal manufacturers should now be placed on a level playing field with importers of finished solar thermal collectors.
Solar Heat Europe is also very active on the IAA front. The aim of this legislation is to introduce a “Made in Europe” criterion (the scope of which has yet to be defined) for certain products in the context of public procurement and public interventions. Solar thermal technologies, whilst included in the initial drafts, were not listed in the products proposed by the European Commission in the version released early March (see here our reaction). Since then, Solar Heat Europe has been holding a series of meetings with MEPs and their teams, as well as with Member States representatives, to advocate for the reinstatement of solar thermal energy in the legislation. Various Rapporteurs in the European Parliament have been appointed, from different committees, and they will publish their draft report in September. Now is therefore the moment to meet them, and the Member States representatives, to provide arguments on the reasons for reincluding solar thermal. This is a key priority file for Solar Heat Europe and the momentum created by the joint letter of the sector, signed by more than 90 organisations, is very valuable.
The third file on which we are active is related to solar glass and the antidumping measures that were put on this for specific types of glass imported from China. As the deadline for these measures approaches, Solar Heat Europe has been invited to contribute, as an interested party, to express the point of view of the sector, following enquiry among the membership. A final decision on this is expected in the coming weeks, after the analysis from the Commission.