The European Union member states have voted to retain 'priority dispatch' for small scale solar installations of up to 400 kW under the Electricity Market Design Directive of the EU Clean Energy Package.
The European Council had suggested doing away with the priority dispatch status for small-scale renewable installations in December 2017, which would have threatened the existence of this market segment since it would have exposed these installations to administrative and technical burdens that cannot be handled economically on such a small scale, according to European solar power lobby association, SolarPower Europe (SPE). Naomi Chevillard, Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe said, "The initial plan to remove priority dispatch would have subjected households, schools, hospitals and small businesses that have invested in solar to disproportionate market and administrative requirements. Having avoided this, we can now look forward to a bright future for
decentralised solar generation and consumer empowerment, which is positive news for the clean energy transition."
SPE started a 'Small is Beautiful' campaign to garner support for small-scale renewables installations in Europe in November 2017. SPE Policy Director Aurélie Beauvais termed the vote of the member states through the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER I) a huge victory for small-scale solar and renewable energy consumers. "It is important that member states now seize this opportunity and develop adequate measures for small-scale solar in their National Energy and Climate Plans," said Beauvais. Adding, "Based on the success of the Small is Beautiful campaign, the coalition will continue to work for the best frameworks for small installations in the coming year and during the next Commission's mandate."
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