The potential of integrated photovoltaics in Europe

According to EPIA, on 40% of all building roofs and 15% of all facades in the EU, PV panels could be installed, totalizing a capacity of 1.5 million MW, capable of meeting 40% of European electricity demand by 2020

Photovoltaic panels installed on buildings could meet about 40% of the EU electricity consumption by 2020. The latter was stated by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), which believes that 40% of all building roofs and 15% of all facades in the EU could be suited for PV applications. According to EPIA, these percentages are equivalent to ground floor area of 22,000 square kilometres, where a capacity of approximately 1.5 million MW could be installed, with an annual production of 1.400 billion kWh. Representing, indeed, 40% of the electricity demand expected  in Europe by 2020.

Another significant advantage of the integration of photovoltaic energy in buildings is that it provides a strong development potential not only for the PV industry, but also for the whole construction sector.  It would hence produce highly positive effects for the creation of new jobs and  for specific sectors, such as building materials, energy efficiency, lighting, heat insulation, etc.
(June 2010)