To enable better network connection of the increasing amounts of community-owned solar PV, helping communities to work together to reduce carbon emissions and play a part in the new energy revolution
EU Heroes aims:
EU Policy
In 2018 the European Parliament voted to increase their renewable energy target from 27% to 35% by 2030 following growing concern over greenhouse gas emissions, and bearing in mind the speed of technological progress in renewable electricity. Community solar projects provide the opportunity for more people to take an active role in reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
The EU Heroes project will bring together network operators, community solar practitioners and energy specialists to develop robust models for solar energy deployment that encourage the continued growth of community solar energy.
Solar photovoltaics is one of the fastest growing forms of clean energy generation across Europe with over 100GW of installed capacity. In many countries it has reached a scale that presents a considerable challenge to conventional centralised power generation models and requires new approaches to grid integration.
Integrating community solar into traditional electricity networks can be challenging due to the intermittent nature of solar energy. In addition to power produced, large power stations also provide other grid effects that are not present in smaller generators (e.g. system inertia). As the proportion of renewable energy on the grid increases these effects must be considered and mitigated where possible.