Photovoltaics in Europe after the Paris Agreement

Over the last decade, the utilisation of renewable energy in the electricity sector, especially from solar, is growing at a much faster pace than the rest of the economy in Europe and world-wide. The significant cost reduction of solar PV power during this time and their zero fuel cost have increased its attractiveness. However, the growth rate in the European Union is declining since 2011. So far, the European Union is the largest economy with a legally binding target to reach 27% of its energy consumption from renewable energy sources by 2030 and efforts to increase it to 35% are underway. In 2017 about 4% of the Union's electricity demand was covered by solar PV, but in order to reach the 2030 target at least a tripling of this contribution is needed.