The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, has begun in Baku, and Javier Fernández-Font, General Director of Alusin Solar and Vice President of UNEF, is calling for a concrete global commitment to promote photovoltaic solar energy.

In his view, COP29 should be a turning point for implementing international policies that facilitate the widespread adoption of solar technology, particularly in countries with limited access to financing.

In an interview with Energía Estratégica España, Fernández-Font proposes that governments use this conference to promote “tax exemptions and mandatory integration of these installations in new constructions,” thereby boosting sector growth in Europe.

He also suggests that, in light of high energy prices, it would be appropriate to introduce “financial incentives to ensure strong and rapid photovoltaic penetration,” as the incentive of cost savings has become less urgent since the energy crisis of 2022.

In this context, the executive emphasizes, “Political determination in decision-making is necessary” for ideas and agreements to become a reality.

Photovoltaic Solar Market Needs

Despite solar panel prices being at historic lows, the sector is facing a slowdown in adoption, influenced by economic factors and the decline in financing costs.

In Europe, the distributed generation model, which allows individuals and businesses to produce their own energy through self-consumption installations, has seen uneven progress.

In this regard, Fernández-Font observes that “Spain still lags behind compared to other European countries like Germany.”

Unification of regulations and joint efforts between countries are, in his opinion, essential for ensuring proper and homogeneous penetration of self-consumption across the continent.

“Economic instability and the cost of financing sometimes hinder the development of distributed generation projects, especially when external financing is needed,” he highlights.

However, the businessman believes that the key to overcoming these obstacles lies in the sector’s ability to find solutions that add value to proposals and tailor each project to the specific needs of customers.

“We are in a phase of consolidation with some slowdown due to the economic situation, political instability, and the cost of money,” Fernández-Font explains, noting that the high cost of energy has been relatively normalized by industries and households, reducing the urgency for self-consumption.

Finally, Fernández-Font reflects on COP29, emphasizing that the transition to photovoltaics will depend on clear and firm government support policies, which will be crucial for photovoltaic solar energy to become a key player in the energy transition and the fight against climate change.