The growth of the photovoltaic sector in Europe is facing a crucial obstacle: the time required to connect projects to the grid remains excessively long. According to a SolarPower Europe report, a large-scale solar project takes an average of four years to obtain permits and grid connection. In some cases, the process can extend up to eight years, slowing the deployment of new renewable capacity and limiting developers’ access to financing.

The European solar industry installed 65.5 GW in 2024, but year-on-year growth fell to 4%, a 92% reduction compared to previous years. One of the main reasons for this stagnation is the slow administrative process for obtaining permits. “The entire permitting chain, including grid connection, is still too slow,” warns Jan Osenberg, Head of System Integration at SolarPower Europe.

The Problem of Waiting Times and Lack of Coordination

One of the factors prolonging timelines is the complexity of administrative procedures, especially for large-scale projects. “For ground-mounted solar parks, the average processing time is four years, but in some countries, it can take up to eight years,” the report explains.

In contrast, 14 European countries have managed to reduce permitting times for rooftop PV installations to less than six months, though in some cases, the process can still take up to a year. This demonstrates that streamlining procedures is possible but has not yet been extended to large-scale projects.

Another major barrier is the lack of transparency regarding grid capacity and access criteria. Since 2023, the EU’s Electricity Market Design revision has required grid operators to publish grid capacity maps, but implementation has been inconsistent across member states. “Capacity maps help improve communication between developers and grid operators, reducing misunderstandings and wait times,” the report states.

Proposed Solutions: Speeding Up Permits and Flexible Grid Connections

To reduce waiting times and accelerate the energy transition, SolarPower Europe proposes several strategies, including:

• Creation of one-stop shops and digitalized procedures: Portugal has implemented the EMER Task Force, a public authority coordination team aimed at expediting renewable energy permits in line with 2030 climate targets. Belgium, meanwhile, has developed a digital portal where developers can submit all necessary documents in a centralized manner.

• Positive administrative silence: Some countries have opted to apply the principle of positive administrative silence, meaning that if the administration does not respond within a set period, the permit is automatically considered approved. Slovakia has applied this measure for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and Sweden for small-scale PV grid connections.

• Renewables Acceleration Areas (RAA): These designated zones aim to prioritize permitting without requiring EIA approvals. However, the report warns that “these areas should not become exclusive to renewables but should instead facilitate the process.” In Germany, EIA is already integrated into a streamlined approval procedure.

• Maximum permit processing deadlines: Lithuania has set a two-year limit for new projects and one year for repowering projects. France, meanwhile, has developed specific guidelines to expedite environmental impact assessments for solar plants.

• Grid connection queue management: The EU recommends abandoning the “first come, first served” principle, which encourages speculation and capacity hoarding by developers without viable projects. Instead, it proposes establishing entry and retention criteria, prioritizing hybrid projects and those with flexible grid connection agreements.

Conclusion: The Urgency to Unlock Solar Growth

To meet its climate goals, Europe must urgently accelerate the permitting process for new solar installations. The delay of up to eight years in connecting solar parks not only slows the energy transition but also puts key investments at risk and discourages the development of new projects.

The implementation of solutions such as one-stop shops, digitalized permitting, and efficient grid connection queue management could significantly reduce wait times. “If we want to speed up solar deployment in Europe, we must immediately address the permitting and grid connection crisis,” emphasizes Osenberg.

In the context of a growing need for energy independence and emission reductions, eliminating these barriers has become a top priority for both industry and policymakers.