The 2024 revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) introduces a Solar Mandate to accelerate the uptake of all solar technologies (solar thermal, solar PV, and PV-thermal) on buildings. It requires Member States to “ensure that all new buildings are designed to optimise their solar energy generation potential on the basis of the solar irradiance of the site, enabling the subsequent cost-effective installation of solar technologies”. This article 10 of the EPBD is of particular relevance for solar heat and its various technologies.
Regarding the transposition of this article, Solar Heat Europe draws the attention of national policy makers to the fact that the technical criteria for complying with the mandate should refer to the installed capacity and not only to the surface on the roof. Solar thermal systems produce three times more energy output in the same space as solar PV, which tends to be cheaper for the respective area but with considerably less energy output. Furthermore, the Solar Mandate should provide financial incentives for implementation to increase social acceptance and in view of the urgency of the climate crisis.