Solar power has huge potential for providing local, affordable and renewable energy that can be used in our homes, businesses, schools and hospitals.
With the acceleration of climate change and the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, cities in Europe are increasingly recognising solar energy as an effective means of prioritising climate action and supporting people to access a clean and decentralised energy system.
As the price of solar technology falls, city leaders are steering the development of innovative, large-scale solar projects that are helping to reduce local energy bills and supporting the rapid urban transition to climate neutrality.
Across Europe, there are many examples of pioneering projects where cities and the energy sector are working in partnership to boost the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. This includes projects to place solar PV panels on public and industrial buildings, initiatives using solar power to power public services, and actions to co-fund solar panels for the benefit of local businesses and people.
Above and beyond rooftops – expanding solar use in cities
Many of these examples were presented at a Solar Cities side event during the recent Brussels Urban Summit, where several major solar projects, including those involving Eurocities members, showcased their innovative activities. They also explained how their projects are using technical solutions to overcome local challenges.
The event was organised to launch the new Solar Cities report, developed by SolarPower Europe, in partnership with Eurocities, Energy Cities, ICLEI and FEDARENE. The first publication of its kind, the report showcases solar projects that have been developed in European cities. It acts as a guide for the solar sector, providing insight on how to strengthen cooperation with cities and their local authorities.
??At #BUS2023 we've just launched:
'Solar Cities: 21 solar solutions for the city energy transition'
on how #solar☀️& cities ?️can support each other ?
The paper features real stories from 3️⃣3️⃣ cities & local authorities
Download the report ?https://t.co/0K2ZaTDfdj pic.twitter.com/gXOMrz13hS
— SolarPower Europe (@SolarPowerEU) June 14, 2023
“Cities are facing important challenges, but also great opportunities,” said André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities. “They consume 80% of Europe’s energy and emit the bulk of the continent’s greenhouse gases. However, cities are often Europe’s frontrunning climate actors, with higher ambitions than their national governments.
Solar power can play an important role by providing sustainable solutions for cities and communities
“In this context, solar power can play an important role by providing sustainable solutions for cities and communities. Accelerating the deployment of solar energy in our cities will help to achieve Europe’s climate neutral objectives and energy independence goals.”
Leading by example – cities shine brightly
One of the innovative solar power solutions presented at the Solar Cities side event involves the city of Marseille, which has been selected in the EU Mission 100 Climate Neutral Cities by 2030.
As a Mediterranean city particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, Marseille has prioritised the deployment of renewable energy. In total, 61 municipal rooftops are already equipped with solar panels, with 60 more roofs to be installed soon. In addition, Marseille hosts La Friche Belle de Mai, one of the largest citizen solar power plants in France.
In meeting the solar skills challenge, Marseille has also opened the first French solar school, the Ecole de Production des Energies au Sud, which trains young people, both in technical and human fields, in solar professions.
The school curriculum offers young people the opportunity to become a certified electrician, a Professional Baccalaureate in Maintenance and Energy Efficiency, and a CQP Installer and Maintainer of photovoltaic and thermal solar panels. These diplomas are recognised by the state and the professional world.
“Despite having lots of sunlight, Marseille has been a bit behind when it comes to solar innovation,” said Catherine Lauranson, Ecological Transition adviser at the City of Marseille. “This is why we have developed a solar plan, aiming to draw more on natural solar and maritime resources, to create self-sufficient local energy communities, and to fight energy poverty.”
We have developed a solar plan...to create self-sufficient local energy communities, and to fight energy poverty.”
She continued: “A key part of this innovation is the solar school we opened last year. It aims to train young people from the age of 15 in solar professions. Once qualified, they will have jobs available to them immediately, as we have contracts set up with solar businesses in local area.”
Stressing the importance of the training being provided in Marseille, Masha Smirnova, Head of Sustainable Urban Governance for Eurocities, said: “The EU’s renewable energy targets cannot be realised without a major boost to training and skills. Cities can play a pivotal role as hubs to promote green skills and shape inclusive labour markets.
“Investing in human capacities and skills development will be critical to the success of the transition to climate neutrality, and effective partnerships between cities, industry and educational institutions can effectively underpin this goal.”
Another ground-breaking project is taking place in the Municipality of Cascais in Portugal, where independent power producer, Greenvolt, has introduced an energy sharing scheme through a partnership with Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais (SCMC), a social institution, which operates a kindergarten.
Greenvolt installed solar panels on the roof of the kindergarten, which cover more than 50% of the building’s daytime electricity consumption. The surplus energy generated, on weekends or holidays, is also being shared for free with up to 60 local households confronting energy poverty.
“This has been a simple, straightforward project that has not involved any bureaucracy, and at the same time Greenvolt has received a return on its investment,” said Sofia Barbosa, Director of Regulatory Affairs for Greenvolt. “We believe this type of project is a very good example that other municipalities can use without investing their public budget. ”
We believe this type of project is a very good example that other municipalities can use without investing their public budget
Finding a common solar ground – people powered change
As well as presenting actions by cities, the Solar Cities event also included projects developed by cities to empower local people and companies to deploy their own solar solutions.
One of these cities is Bologna in Italy, which has made the installation of solar energy part of its urban planning policy and regulations. The city has set up a working group that aims to make it more straightforward for solar panels to be integrated into homes and public buildings, while also ensuring local people’s views are taking into account and the city’s historic architecture is respected.
“In the past, Bologna ranked really low in terms of solar panels,” said Anna-Lisa Boni, Deputy Mayor of Bologna. “As part of our goal for a climate neutral city, one of our big projects has been to focus on ensuring that our regulations around urban planning provide greater scope for citizens and business to place solar panels on their buildings. This has been done through regular discussions with engineers, the local energy sector and the wider public.
Our aim is to find balance between protecting our local architecture, while also continuing to embrace new technologies
“Our aim is to find a common ground, to find balance between protecting our local architecture and landscape, while also continuing to embrace new technologies that reflect our climate neutral goals.”
A further people-led project is taking place in the municipality of Križevci in Croatia, where the local community has come together to co-fund its own solar projects. In 2018, the Križevci’s local administration started a crowd-funding project offering local people the opportunity to invest in renewable energies, with the aim of installing solar PV on the rooftops of the local Development Centre and Technology Park.
Led by the Green Energy Cooperative ZEZ, the campaign managed to collect the total amount of money required in only 10 days, with the final amount raised four times higher than the target. The project was so successful, that Križevci has now created KLIK, its own energy cooperative.
Cities are bringing innovative solutions
Despite the challenges that persist for the future of solar energy, support at EU-level is clear.
Speaking at the Solar Cities event, Eero Ailio, Adviser on Energy Transition and Local Governance for the European Commission, said: “I don’t think cities are a new frontier for solar power, I believe they have been carrying out this work for a long time.
“Cities are the test case for the success of solar policies and they are proving that they can bring together partners from the private sector, local government and local people to develop innovative solutions. Clearly, cities are doing the heavy lifting, supported by EU policies, including our solar energy strategy which we will continue to focus on.”
He added: “Looking forward, we are working with the next Belgian Presidency of the EU, in the first half of 2024, to organise a major event looking at the role of cities when it comes to energy sharing and other global challenges. There are exciting times ahead.”
___
SolarPower Europe’s report ‘Solar Cities: 21 solar solutions for the city energy transition’ is available for download now. Launched at the Solar Cities side event during the Brussels Urban Summit 2023, the report has been developed with the support of Eurocities, Energy Cities, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and FEDARENE – the European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and Environment.
