Thommessen: New EU requirements could lead to significant increase in solar power for commercial buildings

What do the requirements entail?
IN The EU's revised Building Energy Directive, adopted in April last year, envisages the gradual introduction of requirements for solar cells. These are the specific requirements:‍

• By 31 December 2026, all new public buildings and commercial buildings over 250 sqm must have solar cells.
• By 31 December 2027, this also applies to existing public buildings over 2000 sqm and commercial buildings over 500 sqm undergoing major renovation.
• By December 31, 2029, all new residential buildings should have solar cells.

‍“The requirements apply if it is technically, economically and practically possible,” explains Fyden.

The Government has announced that the Building Energy Directive from 2024 will be submitted for consultation in Norway shortly, and that the Ministry of Energy will consider in more detail what the provisions of this directive will entail for Norway.

“In any case, it is likely that we will see increased demands for solar cell installation in the coming years also in Norway. For example, the Storting has already adopted that the government should make demands for the creation of solar cells and/or locally produced energy at new state construction projects,” Fyden continues.

What is happening in Norway today?

‍Norway currently has no requirements for solar cells, but there are incentives in the current regulations. TEK17 sets requirements for low energy demand and environmentally friendly energy supply, and it opens up increased energy frameworks for buildings that produce renewable energy such as solar power.

At the same time, local energy solutions such as solar cells will affect the energy character of the building because it reduces the need for supplied energy.

“A consultation note on changes to the energy label regulation was sent out last year, and it will be exciting to see how the updated energy label regulation looks like,” says Fyden.

In the consultation note, it was discussed whether energy production from the exported building should be included in the calculation of the energy rating. The Ministry considered that exported energy should not be included in the energy rating. The new energy label regulation is still under work.

“We learn that the energy character of a building can be of great importance for both tenants, for potential buyers and for financing,” says Fyden.

Also read: New EU sustainability reporting requirements give green buildings a clear advantage

Get incentives for commercial buildings - for now‍

The government has set a target of 8 TWh of solar power by 2030, and put forward a plan for more solar power in the revised national budget for 2024. Nevertheless, there are few direct support schemes for solar cells on commercial buildings. ENOVA offers support for energy improvements of at least 20 percent, but direct investment support for solar cells is lacking.

In December 2024, the Ministry of Energy proposed a new scheme for sharing renewable power in industrial areas. The ministry aims for the scheme to apply from 1 July 2025.

“This may stimulate more investments in solar power, but there is still a gap in the utility apparatus,” Moland points out.

How should owners of commercial buildings prepare?‍

With both national and EU requirements on the horizon, it is important for building owners to stay ahead.

“Solar energy is becoming increasingly important, both to meet regulatory requirements and to ensure the attractiveness of buildings in the market. This is especially true when energy brand and climate risks are assessed by banks and investors,” says Fyden.

Moland adds that alternative models such as “Solar as a Service” could be an interesting solution for building owners looking to invest in solar power without large capital costs.

Council of Thommessen‍

Thommessen recommends owners of commercial buildings to follow the development of the regulations closely and map out the possibilities for improving the energy condition of the buildings.

“The regulatory changes show that solar power can bring not only energy and environmental benefits, but also economic benefits,” Moland concludes.

‍Also read: Solar plants could provide Enova support

_{This article was originally published on April 11, 2024 and updated on January 30, 2025}
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