European imports of photovoltaic panels increase

How does the EU support the European solar PV manufacturing sector?

Over the last years, the EU has taken initiatives to strengthen its support to the European solar PV manufacturing sector, which includes several globally competitive companies in several steps of the value chain.

Why are China's solar panels exported to Europe?

Notably, around 80 percent of China’s solar panels were exported to the European market during this period (Cao and Groba, 2013), driven by the generous feed-in-tariffs provided by EU governments to accelerate the deployment of solar energy (Grau et al, 2012).

Does the EU have a competitive advantage in solar PV production?

When it comes to economic growth, it is difficult to expect solar PV manufacturing to provide a major contribution, given that the EU has no comparative advantage in producing the existing generation of solar panels, and it is not clear where any unrealised advantage might lie. Source: Bruegel based on Ignaciuk (2023).

Which countries export solar panels in the EU?

The largest extra-EU export destination for wind turbines was the United Kingdom (30%), followed by the United States (18%). China (98%) was by far the largest partner for extra-EU imports of solar panels in 2023 (see Figure 5). The largest extra-EU export destinations for solar panels were Switzerland (31%) and the United Kingdom (25%).

Is Europe importing a solar boom?

Europe is importing a solar boom. Good news for (nearly) everyone Listen to this story. A banner running down the side of the European Commission’s headquarters in Brussels depicts cartoon workers recladding its 13-floor façade with solar panels.

Will the EU rely on Chinese solar panels?

If nothing changes, this expansion will be based almost exclusively on solar panels imported from China, which supplies over 95 percent of solar panels used in the EU. This dependence has raised concerns about EU economic security and geopolitical vulnerabilities, especially in light of recent global disruption.