The European Solar Charter outlines actions for the Commission, EU countries and industry stakeholders to support the solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing sector in the EU and reinforce the resilience and competitiveness of Europe’s solar value chain.
As the fastest growing renewable energy source in the EU, solar PV represents an opportunity to improve energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports, including Russian gas, while supporting job creation. It will also contribute to achieving the EU’s 42.5% renewable energy target by 2030.
The Charter acknowledges key challenges facing the solar PV manufacturing industry in Europe, including a high dependency on imports from a limited number of suppliers, with China accounting for the majority of solar module imports. Strengthening the resilience, sustainability and competitiveness of the European solar value chain is therefore essential to ensure security of supply and mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions. In addition, falling prices of imported panels have also placed pressure on European production and put planned investments for new manufacturing capacity at risk.
The EU has already taken steps to strengthen the European solar PV manufacturing sector
- The European Solar PV Industry Alliance, launched in December 2022, aims to reinforce cooperation with industry.
- The Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) seeks to raise the EU’s capacity to manufacture net-zero technologies, including solar PV, with the objective of meeting up to 40% of annual deployment needs by 2030.
Nevertheless, further action is needed to address the crisis facing the European manufacturing industry.
Actions by EU countries and industry
The European Solar Charter sets out 6 voluntary actions to be implemented by EU countries and industry signatories.
Actions implemented by the Commission
In line with the Charter’s request for the Commission to implement 10 voluntary actions, it conducted a review at the beginning of 2026 to assess progress on the adopted commitments.
the Innovation Fund included 4 dedicated topics on clean tech manufacturing in its 2022-2025 calls, with a total budget of €3.8 billion. Manufacturing projects, including those involving deployment, are also eligible under broader topics. To date, it has also funded €445 million in solar PV manufacturing. In the latest Net-Zero Technologies Call launched in December 2025, €1 billion was dedicated to clean tech manufacturing out of a total €2.9 billion budget
the Clean Industrial Deal announced that the Commission will launch a flagship Horizon Europe call of around €600 million under the 2026-2027 programme to support fit-for-deployment projects, including in clean tech. Horizon Europe has dedicated €165 million to research and innovation on PV manufacturing and the demonstration of pilot lines for the 2021-2025 programming period
in 2025, the EUPI-PV co-programmed partnership was launched to accelerate solar PV research and innovation by coordinating efforts across industry and research centres, strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the European PV value chain, and fostering leadership in PV innovation
to improve access to finance, the Commission adopted a new State aid Framework that enables EU countries to support the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal, including the manufacturing of clean technologies
The European Investment Bank has also played a role in financing the sector. In 2025, it published its Energy Sector Orientation, outlining the strategic direction for energy-related financing activities for 2026-2030. The publication highlights the need to scale up clean technology manufacturing and deployment, which the EIB Group will continue supporting through initiatives such as TechEU. The EIB has financed two solar PV manufacturing projects: a €35 million loan agreement for Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cells and a €560 million financing package for 3SUN’s heterojunction solar cells and modules.
Renewable energy auctions
In May 2024, the Commission adopted a Recommendation and Guidance on auction design for renewable energy, followed by the Implementing Act on non-price criteria auctions in June 2025, assisting EU countries in the inclusion of non-price criteria in renewable energy auctions and public procurement.
Innovative technologies and forms of renewable energy deployment
In July 2025, the Commission issued a Recommendation and Guidance to promote innovative technologies and forms of renewable energy deployment. Solutions such as agrisolar and floating solar can have a positive impact on the competitiveness of European industry, as they require specialised manufacturing. In addition, they enable a more efficient use of space and can help mitigate challenges associated with competing land uses.
Horizon Europe dedicated €54 million to support research and innovation in innovative forms of PV deployment for the period 2021-2025.
Stakeholder engagement and international cooperation
The European Solar PV Industrial Alliance, which held its most recent annual ministerial and discussion forum in September 2025, also organised discussion forums on topics such as equipment supply chain, auctions, and financing. These events reaffirm the Commission’s commitment to strengthening competitive and sustainable value chains in Europe.
In order to enhance cooperation with third countries, the Commission has implemented several measures
- to ensure access to sustainable raw materials, the Commission concluded 15 Strategic Partnerships with resource-rich countries. In June 2025, it identified 13 strategic projects outside the EU, in addition to the 47 strategic projects within the EU, to diversify supply sources and secure critical raw materials
- additionally, in January 2025, it announced in the Communication on the Competitiveness Compass for the EU that Clean Trade and Investments Partnerships would be implemented to bolster the EU's competitiveness, diversify supply chains, help secure the supply of raw materials, clean energy, sustainable transport fuels, and clean tech. The first Clean Trade and Investment Partnership was signed with South Africa in November 2025
Skills and workforce development
To expand skills availability in the EU solar sector, the Commission has continued to work with the large-scale renewable energy skills partnership, aiming to equip workers with the skills needed for renewable energy technology manufacturing and management, in support of the EU’s energy and climate objectives.
It also supports the establishment of the Net-Zero Industry Act Solar Academy, launched in June 2024, which aims to train 65 000 workers in solar PV by 2026.
Permit-granting procedures
To promote the acceleration of renewable energy deployment, the Commission engaged with EU countries in various fora, such as the Concerted Action on the Renewable Energy Directive and the expert group on accelerating permitting for renewable energy projects, supporting the implementation of the provisions related to permit-granting procedures in the revised Renewable Energy Directive.
It provided guidance to support EU countries’ implementation, including the Guidance on designating renewables acceleration areas, adopted in May 2024, and the Recommendation and Guidance on the establishment of areas for grid and storage infrastructure, adopted in July 2025.
The Commission also held an implementation dialogue on permitting for renewable energy projects and related infrastructure in June 2025, hosted by Commissioner Jørgensen, to discuss the implementation of EU legislation on speeding up and simplifying permitting processes with key stakeholders. It also put forward a legislative proposal to accelerate permit-granting procedures for renewable energy projects as part of the European Grids Package.
Trade monitoring
The Commission monitored potential unfair trade practices benefitting foreign solar PV manufacturers, including through the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. In January 2026, the Commission published guidelines clarifying various aspects of the regulation and providing greater predictability and transparency for companies. In 2024, the Commission opened 2 in-depth investigations in the solar PV sector, which were closed following the withdrawal of the economic operators.
Related links
- European Solar PV Industry Alliance (ESIA)
- Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA)