Photovoltaics on buildings in Poland will be mandatory

Mandatory photovoltaics on all buildings? On 12 March 2024, the European Parliament voted on a directive on the energy efficiency of buildings, the so-called Buildings Directive. This means that all new buildings in the EU must be zero-emission. The EU is thus accelerating the energy modernisation of residential and non-residential buildings.

Mandatory generation of energy from the sun

The new law introduces an obligation to install photovoltaic panels or solar thermal collectors on buildings, in member states. In the first instance, this obligation applies to new commercial and public buildings from 2026, provided that such installation is technically, economically and functionally justified. For residential buildings, the key year will be 2029, when the installation of photovoltaic panels or solar collectors will become mandatory in new buildings.

Historic buildings will be excluded from the provisions of the directive if bringing them into line with the new standards would "unacceptably alter their character or appearance".

The timetable for the introduction of this obligation under the EPBD is as follows:

  1. (a) by 31 December 2026 on all new public and non-residential buildings with a floor area greater than 250 m2;
  2. (b) by 31 December 2027 on all existing public buildings with a floor area of more than 2,000 m2;
  3. (c) by 31 December 2028 on all existing public buildings with a floor area of more than 750 m2;
  4. (d) by 31 December 2030 on all existing public buildings with a floor area of more than 250 m2;
  5. (e) until 31 December 2027 on existing non-residential buildings with a floor area of more than 500 m2 where the building undergoes major renovation or actions requiring an administrative permit for the renovation of the building, work on the roof or the installation of a technical building system;
  6. (f) until 31 December 2029. on all new residential buildings.

Opportunity for solar collectors

In recent years, photovoltaic energy has dominated the previously well-developed solar thermal collector technology in the European Union, but demand for these devices is expected to grow in line with current standards.

A solar collector is a device that converts the sun's radiant energy into heat. In the case of collectors, this energy is used to heat water and swimming pools or to support central heating. They are less commonly used for heating buildings due to the cost.

End of support for gas and coal boilers from 2025?

The Energy Efficiency in Buildings Directive supports the production of heat from solar panels. Article 15 of the directive stipulates that from the beginning of next year, EU countries will no longer be able to provide financial support for the installation of heating systems based on fossil fuels such as gas or coal.

The directive also stipulates that from 2028, new public sector buildings will have to meet zero-emission standards. Two years later, these standards will extend to all buildings. By 2040 The European Union is planning a complete phase-out of fossil fuels from heating systems.

 

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