The European energy landscape is on the brink of transformation. By May 2026, the EU Solar Rooftop Standard—introduced under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive—will require all EU member states to set new solar mandates for suitable new and renovated buildings.
For businesses, policymakers, and the solar industry, this is more than compliance: it’s a strategic inflection point for rooftop PV adoption, sustainability targets, power system integration, and future business models across Europe.
Unlocking solar's market potential
Solnet Group’s Chairman of the Board, Arttur Kulvik, recently joined an expert panel to share his perspective on moving beyond minimum regulatory requirements. Drawing from our experience with advanced rooftop PV projects, Arttur outlined how seamless integration of commercial & industrial (C&I) and utility-scale systems can enable 100% self-consumption, maximizing economic value while delivering real sustainability and reliability improvements for corporate customers.
He emphasized that simply meeting the minimum legal thresholds is not enough. Forward-thinking organizations and policymakers should strive to unlock greater investment in high-efficiency PV installations, data-driven energy management, and flexible storage solutions, dramatically improving both ROI and overall grid resilience.
Solar Power Europe’s policy roadmap
The webinar also featured policy leaders and industry experts such as Niels Ladefoged (DG ENER, European Commission), Walter Kreisel (Neoom), Mareike Herrndorff (Agora Energiewende), Leonie Beaucamp (DENA), Dries Acke and Jan Osenberg (SolarPower Europe). Together, they explored Solar Power Europe’s recommendations for robust national implementation of the new standard.
Key questions addressed included:
- How should compliance rules, investment options, exemptions, and minimum installation sizes be decided?
- What is needed to embed rooftop PV into flexible, reliable electricity systems?
- Which enabling measures will remove bottlenecks and accelerate project timelines?
Throughout the discussion, real-world perspectives from energy agencies and leading PV developers highlighted best practices, potential pitfalls, and actionable steps for market actors.
Why this matters for corporate energy users
For businesses in sectors like retail, logistics, real estate, and automotive, understanding this new standard is crucial. The evolving compliance environment will impact investment decisions, the economics of self-consumption, and your sustainability reporting. The shift towards smart, data-enabled systems and integrated storage is rapidly redefining what’s possible—and what’s expected—from on-site renewable generation.
Watch the recording: prepare for change
This EU-wide regulation represents a significant step towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future. If you missed the live session, you can access the full recording for first-hand insights from our experts and policy leaders:
Now is the time to consider: Is your business prepared for the new targets, and what steps will you take to unlock the full potential of rooftop solar in your market?
Connect with us at Solnet Group to discuss tailored solutions for your energy strategy and stay ahead of legislative changes shaping the future of European power.
