歐盟通過新的《歐洲太陽能憲章》支持歐洲光伏制造業(yè)

2024年4月15日   歐盟能源總司歐盟委員會通過新的《歐洲太陽能憲章》支持歐洲光伏制造業(yè)。

歐盟委員會今天正在加緊努力，通過《歐洲太陽能憲章》支持歐洲的太陽能行業(yè)。今天，由歐盟能源專員卡德里·西姆森（Kadri Simson）代表的歐盟委員會、來自23個歐盟國家的能源部長和行業(yè)代表在非正式能源理事會會議期間簽署了該憲章，該憲章規(guī)定了為支持歐盟光伏行業(yè)而采取的一系列自愿行動。

“太陽能光伏制造業(yè)是實現(xiàn)我們的能源、氣候和競爭力目標的關(guān)鍵。我們必須確保太陽能產(chǎn)業(yè)在歐洲未來以可再生能源為中心的能源結(jié)構(gòu)中保持強勁?！稓W洲太陽能憲章》將歐盟委員會、國家當局和行業(yè)聚集在一起，促進合作并為歐洲制造的太陽能電池板生產(chǎn)提供支持。

《憲章》簽署方承諾支持歐洲光伏制造業(yè)的競爭力，并促進為符合高可持續(xù)性和彈性標準的高質(zhì)量產(chǎn)品創(chuàng)造市場，同時充分尊重歐盟的氣候和能源目標。《憲章》概述了在這方面可以幫助的一系列要素，包括盡早實施《凈零工業(yè)法》中關(guān)于在可再生能源拍賣、公共采購或其他相關(guān)支持計劃中使用非價格標準的相關(guān)規(guī)定。

《歐洲太陽能憲章》標志著歐盟委員會支持歐洲太陽能電池板制造的最新一步。此前的措施包括《凈零工業(yè)法案》（Net-Zero Industry Act）提案，該法案現(xiàn)已由共同立法者臨時商定，以及建立歐洲太陽能光伏產(chǎn)業(yè)聯(lián)盟（European Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance）。這將有助于確保綠色轉(zhuǎn)型和歐洲的工業(yè)目標齊頭并進，加速可再生能源的部署，同時提高該行業(yè)的競爭力并創(chuàng)造綠色就業(yè)機會。

背景

更快、更廣泛地部署可再生能源，尤其是太陽能，對于實現(xiàn)歐盟 2030 年可再生能源至少占 42.5% 的目標（到 2030 年達到 45%）和 2050 年氣候中和目標至關(guān)重要。

太陽能，尤其是光伏發(fā)電的部署，目前是歐盟增長最快的可再生能源領(lǐng)域，在過去 3 年中，年裝機量創(chuàng)下歷史新高（2021 年約為 28 吉瓦，2022 年約為 41 吉瓦，2023 年為 56 吉瓦）。

然而，歐洲對太陽能組件的大部分需求都來自進口。目前，進口到歐盟的太陽能電池板中有97%來自中國。

歐洲太陽能憲章

太陽能，特別是光伏（PV），是目前歐盟增長最快的可再生能源。去年，歐盟安裝了56吉瓦的太陽能光伏，其中三分之二安裝在屋頂上，為消費者賦能，保護他們免受高電價的影響，并減少土地使用。2022 年和 2023 年的裝置總共節(jié)省了相當于 150 億立方米的俄羅斯天然氣進口，降低了歐盟天然氣供應(yīng)中斷的風(fēng)險。此外，該部門提供了約65萬個工作崗位，其中90%在部署方面，預(yù)計到2030年將增加到約100萬個。

要實現(xiàn)歐盟2030年可再生能源至少占42.5%的目標，并力爭達到45%，就需要進一步加快可再生能源的部署，包括太陽能。

歐洲對太陽能組件的大部分需求來自單一供應(yīng)商中國的進口，這種集中給價值鏈的彈性帶來了短期風(fēng)險，由于依賴歐洲以外的供應(yīng)商，太陽能電池板的價格穩(wěn)定也帶來了長期風(fēng)險。因此，從各種來源獲得負擔得起的太陽能組件以及有彈性、可持續(xù)和有競爭力的歐洲太陽能價值鏈對于實現(xiàn)符合上述目標的部署率，同時提高供應(yīng)安全性并降低供應(yīng)鏈中斷的風(fēng)險是必要的。

然而，由于進口依賴和進口組件價格的大幅下跌，歐洲太陽能組件制造商最近面臨著特殊的挑戰(zhàn)。2023年，歐盟和全球太陽能光伏行業(yè)太陽能電池板價格從約0.20歐元/瓦暴跌至不到0.12歐元/瓦。這種不可持續(xù)的局面正在削弱現(xiàn)有歐洲生產(chǎn)的可行性，并危及過去兩年宣布的對新制造工廠的計劃投資。因此，一些歐洲公司要么減少業(yè)務(wù)，要么宣布將優(yōu)先在其他國際市場（尤其是美國）生產(chǎn)，甚至宣布關(guān)閉。

在過去幾年中，歐盟已采取措施加強對歐洲太陽能光伏制造業(yè)的支持，其中包括價值鏈中幾個步驟中的幾家具有全球競爭力的公司。

歐洲太陽能光伏產(chǎn)業(yè)聯(lián)盟（ESIA）于2022年12月成立，旨在加強行業(yè)內(nèi)的合作，為自己設(shè)定了價值鏈上30吉瓦產(chǎn)能的目標，這一目標被認為到2030年可以實現(xiàn)。ESIA管道包括20多個項目，包括幾個多GW規(guī)模的項目。今年2月達成政治協(xié)議的《凈零工業(yè)法案》（NZIA）旨在確保到2030年，歐盟的整體戰(zhàn)略性凈零技術(shù)制造能力（包括太陽能光伏）接近或達到至少40%的年度部署需求。該法案包括具體措施，例如通過在公共采購、可再生能源拍賣和其他支持計劃中使用非價格標準來加速許可或市場準入便利化。

然而，短期內(nèi)需要采取進一步的緊急行動來解決歐洲制造業(yè)的危機。所有相關(guān)利益攸關(guān)方——歐盟委員會、成員國和活躍在歐洲太陽能光伏價值鏈上的公司——都應(yīng)確保綠色轉(zhuǎn)型和歐洲工業(yè)目標齊頭并進，加速可再生能源的部署，同時通過支持該行業(yè)的競爭力及其在歐盟創(chuàng)造的就業(yè)機會來增強歐盟的供應(yīng)安全。

為此，《歐洲太陽能憲章》規(guī)定了歐盟委員會、成員國和太陽能光伏價值鏈代表應(yīng)立即采取的行動，特別是批發(fā)、分銷和制造部分，以確保完全遵守歐盟競爭法和國家援助規(guī)則。

以下簽署的成員國和太陽能行業(yè)代表分別承諾優(yōu)先實施以下行動：

促進歐洲高質(zhì)量可持續(xù)太陽能光伏產(chǎn)品的彈性供應(yīng)，包括：

在可再生能源拍賣或其他相關(guān)支持計劃的框架內(nèi)，除價格標準外，還通過應(yīng)用雄心勃勃的非價格標準，包括彈性、可持續(xù)性、負責(zé)任的商業(yè)行為、“交付能力”、創(chuàng)新和網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全標準，快速盡早實施相關(guān)的 NZIA 條款。

在太陽能產(chǎn)品公共采購的框架內(nèi)：除價格標準外，還通過應(yīng)用雄心勃勃的彈性、可持續(xù)性、社會、“交付能力”、創(chuàng)新或網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全標準，迅速及早實施NZIA和《建筑物能源性能指令》中的相關(guān)規(guī)定;確保《外國補貼條例》的有關(guān)規(guī)定得到全面落實。

促進創(chuàng)新形式的太陽能部署，如農(nóng)業(yè)光伏、漂浮太陽能、基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施一體化光伏、車載一體化光伏或建筑一體化光伏，特別關(guān)注創(chuàng)新商業(yè)模式，如建筑光伏一體化的交鑰匙工程，包括通過消除可能的監(jiān)管和許可障礙，以及調(diào)整現(xiàn)有的公共支持計劃或制定具體的公共支持計劃。

為光伏產(chǎn)品的制造設(shè)施和額外投資創(chuàng)造有利的框架條件，以支持實現(xiàn)新西蘭制造業(yè)基準，包括通過快速盡早實施新西蘭知識產(chǎn)權(quán)局關(guān)于許可和凈零加速領(lǐng)域的相關(guān)規(guī)定，提高制造技能的可用性，以及在整個價值鏈中的參與，以提高回收材料的可用性。

整個歐盟太陽能光伏價值鏈對持續(xù)創(chuàng)新、技術(shù)卓越、負責(zé)任的商業(yè)行為、網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全、可持續(xù)性、供應(yīng)鏈多元化、社會融合的共同承諾。

考慮利用所有可用的歐盟融資機會以及國家援助臨時危機和過渡框架（TCTF）下的靈活性，為太陽能供應(yīng)鏈的新投資提供支持。

參與歐洲太陽能產(chǎn)業(yè)聯(lián)盟下屬的成員國工作組，交流應(yīng)用非價格標準的最佳做法，為行業(yè)和戰(zhàn)略項目提供支持，以及促進太陽能部署的創(chuàng)新形式

因此，將批發(fā)商、分銷商和安裝商等相關(guān)市場參與者的產(chǎn)品組合納入其中，并考慮到提高歐盟的競爭力和供應(yīng)多樣化，將與歐盟的制造能力相稱的太陽能光伏產(chǎn)品納入高彈性、可持續(xù)性和負責(zé)任的商業(yè)行為標準。這包括定制和創(chuàng)新的太陽能光伏產(chǎn)品以及用于創(chuàng)新部署形式的產(chǎn)品（如建筑一體化光伏、農(nóng)業(yè)三伏、漂浮太陽能、基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施一體化光伏或車載一體化光伏），為這些產(chǎn)品的關(guān)鍵質(zhì)量和來源提供特定的可見性，并逐步增加其數(shù)量。

根據(jù)本憲章中通過的公共和私人承諾，保持并在可能的情況下擴大當前的生產(chǎn)能力，以滿足對其產(chǎn)品的預(yù)期增長需求。

就太陽能光伏產(chǎn)品承購商而言，應(yīng)將彈性、可持續(xù)性、負責(zé)任的商業(yè)行為、“交付能力”、創(chuàng)新和網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全考慮納入其戰(zhàn)略，包括通過與制造商的合作。

歐盟委員會打算：

進一步促進歐盟在恢復(fù)和復(fù)原基金、結(jié)構(gòu)基金、創(chuàng)新基金、現(xiàn)代化基金和歐洲地平線計劃下為太陽能光伏制造項目獲得歐盟資金，包括通過歐洲戰(zhàn)略技術(shù)平臺（STEP）。創(chuàng)新基金選擇了總計4億歐元的太陽能光伏制造項目，并在2023年呼吁提供14億歐元用于清潔技術(shù)制造，包括太陽能光伏。

與歐洲投資銀行合作，加強其對太陽能制造價值鏈投資的支持，包括通過InvestEU。

支持成員國在可再生能源拍賣、公共采購中納入透明、非歧視和客觀的非價格標準，并促進太陽能部署的創(chuàng)新形式，包括通過建議、指導(dǎo)和適當論壇的結(jié)構(gòu)化對話，包括公共采購可持續(xù)太陽能光伏公共買家社區(qū)。

通過歐洲聯(lián)合論壇與成員國合作，探索建立歐洲共同利益重要項目（IPCEI）的可能性，以支持創(chuàng)新及其在太陽能光伏制造價值鏈中的首次工業(yè)部署。

鑒于歐洲太陽能光伏產(chǎn)業(yè)聯(lián)盟目標的實現(xiàn)，繼續(xù)為其提供支持，并直接與成員國當局在專門工作組中合作，分享需求側(cè)措施的最佳實踐，并為該行業(yè)和戰(zhàn)略項目提供支持。

繼續(xù)與第三國合作，通過現(xiàn)有和未來的伙伴關(guān)系、對話和貿(mào)易協(xié)定以及論壇，增強供應(yīng)鏈的彈性和多樣化。

與成員國和社會伙伴合作，通過太陽能學(xué)院和可再生能源技能伙伴關(guān)系等方式，促進擴大歐盟太陽能部門的技能可用性，包括制造業(yè)。

為太陽能光伏產(chǎn)品提出前瞻性的生態(tài)設(shè)計和能源標簽法規(guī)，以在穩(wěn)健方法的基礎(chǔ)上為該行業(yè)建立適當?shù)沫h(huán)境和能源績效標準。

通過支持成員國迅速實施修訂后的《可再生能源指令》和實施《電網(wǎng)行動計劃》，促進部署的加速。

評估行業(yè)或其他獨立來源提出的涉嫌不公平做法的所有證據(jù)。

所有簽署方都承諾監(jiān)測該行業(yè)的未來發(fā)展，并為太陽能行業(yè)的公平和競爭國際環(huán)境做出貢獻。

在《憲章》簽署一年后，委員會將審查已通過的承諾的執(zhí)行情況。

【以上中文為自動翻譯，謹慎參考使用，以下面英文為準】

NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT15 April 2024Directorate-General for Energy2 min read

Commission supports European photovoltaic manufacturing sector with new European Solar Charter

The Commission is today stepping up its efforts to support the solar sector in Europe through the European Solar Charter. Signed today in the margins of the informal Energy Council meeting by the Commission – represented by EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson - energy ministers from 23 EU countries and industry representatives, the charter sets out a series of voluntary actions to be undertaken to support the EU photovoltaic sector.

Speaking after the signature ceremony, Commissioner Kadri Simson said

'The solar photovoltaic manufacturing sector is key for achieving our energy, climate and competitiveness goals. We must ensure the solar industry remains strong for Europe’s future, renewables-centred energy mix. The European Solar Charter brings together the Commission, national authorities and the industry, fostering cooperation and bringing support to the production of solar panels made in Europe.'

The signatories of the Charter commit to supporting the competitiveness of the European PV manufacturing industry and promoting the creation of a market for high-quality products meeting high sustainability and resilience criteria, in full respect of the EU’s climate and energy objectives. The Charter outlines a range of elements which can help in this regard, including the early implementation of relevant provisions in the Net-Zero Industry Act on the use of non-price criteria in renewable energy auctions, public procurement or other relevant support schemes.

The European Solar Charter marks the latest step in the Commission’s actions to support solar panel manufacturing in Europe. Previous measures include, amongst others, a proposal for a Net-Zero Industry Act, which is now provisionally agreed by the co-legislators, and the establishment of the European Solar Photovoltaic Industry Alliance. It will help ensure that the green transition and Europe’s industrial objectives go hand in hand, accelerating the deployment of renewables, while at the same time enhancing the competitiveness of the sector and the creation of green jobs.

Background

Faster and broader deployment of renewable energy, and especially solar energy, is indispensable for achieving the 2030 EU target of at least 42.5% renewable energy by 2030, with the aspiration to reach 45%, and the 2050 climate neutrality objective.

Solar energy, and in particular the deployment of photovoltaics, is currently the fastest growing renewable energy sector in the EU, leading to record numbers of annual installations in the last 3 years (around 28 GW in 2021, 41 GW in 2022 and 56 GW in 2023).

However, the bulk of the demand for solar modules in Europe is covered by imports. Currently, 97% of the solar panels imported into the EU come from China.

European Solar Charter

Solar energy, in particular photovoltaics (PV), is currently the fastest growing renewable energy source in the EU. Last year, 56 GW of solar PV were installed in the EU, two thirds of it on rooftops, empowering consumers and protecting them from high electricity prices and reducing land use. The installations in 2022 and 2023 saved the equivalent of 15 billion cubic meters of Russian gas imports in total, mitigating the risk of disruption of gas supplies to the Union. In addition, the sector provides around 650 000 jobs, 90% of these on the deployment side, and is projected to increase until around 1 000 000 by 2030.

Achieving the 2030 EU target of at least 42.5% renewable energy by 2030, with an ambition to reach 45%, will require further acceleration in the deployment of renewable energy, including solar energy.

The bulk of the demand for solar modules in Europe is covered by imports from a single supplier, China, a concentration that creates short-term risks for the resilience of the value chain and long-term risks for price stability for solar panels due to dependencies on suppliers outside of Europe. Access to affordable solar modules from a diversity of sources as well as a resilient, sustainable and competitive European solar value chain are therefore necessary to achieve a deployment rate in line with the above targets while enhancing security of supply and mitigating the risk of supply chain disruptions.

However, the European solar module manufacturers have faced recently a particular challenge due to the combination of import dependency and a sharp drop in the prices of imported panels. In 2023, the solar photovoltaic sector in the EU and globally saw the prices of the panels plummet from ca. 0.20 EUR/W to less than 0.12 EUR/W. This unsustainable situation is weakening the viability of existing European production and jeopardises planned investments for new manufacturing plants announced over the last 2 years. As a consequence, some European companies have either reduced their operations, announced that they would prioritise production in other international markets, in particular the U.S., or even announced their closure.

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.

The European Solar PV Industry Alliance (ESIA), launched in December 2022 to reinforce the cooperation within industry, set itself the target of 30 GW of production capacity along the value chain, an objective considered achievable by 2030. The ESIA pipeline includes more than 20 projects, including several at multi-GW scale. The Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), on which a political agreement was reached in February, aims to ensure that the Union’s overall strategic net-zero technologies manufacturing capacity, including solar PV, approaches or reaches at least 40% of the annual deployment needs by 2030. The act includes concrete measures, such as accelerated permitting or market access facilitation through the use of non-price criteria in public procurement, renewable energy auctions and other support schemes.

However, further urgent action is needed in the short term to address the crisis in the European manufacturing industry. All relevant stakeholders – the Commission, the Member States and the companies active along the European solar PV value chain - should ensure that the green transition and the European industrial objectives go hand in hand, accelerating the deployment of renewables while at the same time enhancing the EU’s security of supply by supporting the competitiveness of the sector and the jobs it creates in the EU.

To this end, the European Solar Charter sets out immediate actions to be taken by the Commission, Member States and the representatives of the solar PV value chain, in particular 2 wholesale, distribution and manufacturing parts, to be implemented ensuring full compliance with EU competition law and state aid rules.

The undersigning Member States and solar industry representatives, respectively COMMIT to implementing as a matter of priority the following actions:

Promote resilient supply of high-quality sustainable solar PV products in Europe, including through:

In the framework of renewable energy auctions or other relevant support schemes, rapid early implementation of the relevant NZIA provisions through the application of, in addition to price criteria, ambitious non-price criteria, including resilience, sustainability, responsible business conduct, ‘a(chǎn)bility to deliver”, innovation and cybersecurity criteria.

In the framework of public procurement of solar energy products: rapid early implementation of the relevant provisions in the NZIA and in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive through the application of, in addition to price criteria, ambitious resilience, sustainability, social, ‘a(chǎn)bility to deliver”, innovation or cybersecurity criteria; ensure the relevant provisions in the Foreign Subsidies Regulation are fully implemented.

The promotion of innovative forms of solar energy deployment, such as agri-PV, floating solar, infrastructure-integrated PV, vehicle-integrated PV or building-integrated PV with a specific focus on innovative business models such as turnkey projects for PV integration in buildings, including through the removal of possible regulatory and permitting barriers as well as the adaptation of existing public support schemes or the creation of specific public support schemes.

Create favourable framework conditions for manufacturing facilities of PV products and for additional investments, with a view to supporting the achievement of the manufacturing benchmark in the NZIA, including through rapid early implementation of relevant NZIA provisions on permitting and net-zero acceleration areas, improved availability of manufacturing skills and engagement across the value chain to improve the availability of recycled materials.

A joint commitment across the EU solar PV value chain to continuous innovation, technological excellence, responsible business conduct, cybersecurity, sustainability, diversification of supply chains, social integration.

Consider using all available EU funding opportunities as well as flexibilities under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) to provide support for new investments in the solar energy supply chain.

Engage in the Member States Task Force under the European Solar Industry Alliance to exchange best practices on the application of non-price criteria, provide support to the industry and to strategic projects, and on the promotion of innovative forms of solar energy deployment

Include therefore in the portfolios of the relevant market players, such as wholesalers, distributors and installers and in view of improving the competitiveness of the Union and diversification of supplies, solar PV products commensurate to the EU’s manufacturing capacity meeting high resilience, sustainability and responsible business conduct criteria. This includes custom-made and innovative solar PV products as well as products for innovative forms of deployment (such as building-integrated PV, agri- 3 PV, floating solar, infrastructure-integrated PV or vehicle-integrated PV), provide specific visibility to key qualities and origin of these products and gradually increase their volume.

Maintain and, where possible, expand the current production capacity, in line with expected growing demand for their products, based on the public and private commitments adopted in this Charter.

In the case of solar PV products offtakers, incorporate resilience, sustainability, responsible business conduct, ‘a(chǎn)bility to deliver”, innovation and cybersecurity considerations in their strategies, including through cooperation with manufacturers.

The European Commission INTENDS to:

Further facilitate access to EU funding for solar PV manufacturing projects under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, structural funds, the Innovation Fund, the Modernisation Fund, and Horizon Europe, including through the Strategic Technologies European Platform (STEP). The Innovation Fund has selected solar PV manufacturing projects for a total of €400 million and made €1.4 billion available in its 2023 call for clean tech manufacturing, including solar PV.

Work with the European Investment Bank to reinforce its support to investments in the solar manufacturing value chain, including through InvestEU.

Support Member Statesin the inclusion of transparent, non-discriminatory and objective non-price criteria in renewable energy auctions, in public procurement as well as the promotion of innovative forms of solar energy deployment, including through recommendations, guidance, and the structured dialogue in the appropriate fora, including the Community of Public Buyers for Sustainable Solar PV for public procurement.

Explore, in cooperation with Member States through the Joint European Forum the possibility of an Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) to support innovations and their first industrial deployment in the solar PV manufacturing value chain.

Continue providing support to the European Solar PV Industry Alliance in view of the achievement of its objectives, and directly engage with Member State authorities in the dedicated taskforce to share best practices on demand-side measures and support to the sector and to strategic projects.

Continue to cooperate with third countries to enhance the resilience and diversification of supply chains via existing and future partnerships, dialogues and trade agreements and fora.

In collaboration with Member States and social partners, facilitate the expansion of skills availability for the EU solar sector, including for manufacturing, through inter alia the Solar Academy and the Renewable Energy Skills Partnership.

Propose forward-looking Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations for solar PV products to establish, on the basis of a robust methodology, appropriate environmental and energy performance standards for the sector.

Promote the acceleration of deployment by supporting Member States in the swift implementation of the revised Renewable Energy Directive and by implementing the Grids Action Plan.

Assess all evidence of alleged unfair practices put forward by the industry or from other independent sources.

All signatories COMMIT to monitor future developments in the sector and contribute to a fair and competitive international environment in the solar sector.

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"Check against delivery"

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The growth of solar energy over the past two years has been extraordinary.

It has become the centre piece of the energy transition.

Because it's a reliable and fast-growing source in our quest to electrify our energy system.

Yet, this bright picture is overshadowed by what is happening to the EU PV manufacturing industry.

We have all invested in the renaissance of a European solar manufacturing sector, together, since the launch of the Solar Strategy and the Solar Alliance in 2022.

But this effort can be made futile if the Single Market is flooded by cheap imports coming from markets where overcapacity and massive state support exist.

We will not accept that.

We need to think about building a resilient solar PV sector.

This requires thinking long-term, and thinking about the bigger picture of the EU energy system at large and our energy autonomy.

We have to do this in a balanced, proportionate way, keeping markets open, deployment affordable and supporting EU manufacturers.

We have already adopted a number of measures, from the Net-Zero Industry Act to the application of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. The ecodesign requirements for solar PVs will follow shortly.

And I believe that with today's Charter, we have a good political framing.

The Charter brings together all key stakeholders: the Commission, Member States, industrial off-takers, wholesalers, manufacturers.

We all want a thriving EU solar manufacturing industry.

We all want strong value chains across the EU.

And the Charter gives us the process and the political push to make that happen.

The Commission will coordinate and help all players involved to implement the Charter.

We will work with Member States to ensure that best practices are identified and exchanged. And if they want to make even stronger commitments towards producers of European panels we will support them.

We will especially help them in their efforts to implement the Net-Zero Industry Act as soon as possible, use non-price criteria in auctions, and support innovative forms of PV deployment.

But we're also counting on industry.

We need large buyers of PV panels, project developers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and promoters, to all work in the same direction.

It's particularly important for large off-takers, the developers of big PV projects, to engage in this process – this is the exact purpose of the European Solar PV Industry Alliance.

We will continue our structured dialogue with the sector.

Dear colleagues,

Let me end by reiterating how much policy support to the EU PV manufacturing sector and its value chain is matched by concrete measures.

The EU is behind significant investments in solar sector projects.

There is EUR 400 million in grants from the Innovation Fund and counting.

Add to that the more than EUR 500 million financing decision from the EIB.

And let there be no doubt:

EU funds will continue to be available for bridging the funding gap for solar manufacturing projects in the EU.

We are in close dialogue with the EIB – Vice-President ?stros was at the Informal Council today – on ways to expand support for clean technologies' manufacturing.

In this spirit, the Charter sends a clear message. The EU, with all actors, will continue working for a strong European solar supply chain, a booming solar sector, and a more resilient and secure energy system.

Thank you for your attention.