Europe opts for solar energy and vitality autonomy
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Oct 23, 2025
A newly revealed examine highlights Europe’s transfer towards photo voltaic vitality and a decentralized energy grid, emphasizing much less reliance on imports. The analysis, performed by ETH Zurich, the College of Erlangen-Nuremberg, and the Analysis Institute for Sustainability, introduces an strategy that includes residents’ preferences into vitality system planning alongside technical and financial information.
Resolution-making experiments throughout 4 European international locations equipped information for the examine. By integrating choice information with current vitality system fashions, researchers predict what vitality configurations folks in Europe would possibly select. Tim Trondle of ETH Zurich defined that whereas vitality system fashions have change into extra superior, they threat lacking the mark in the event that they ignore the social components that drive real-world adoption.
Findings present a marked choice for photo voltaic vitality moderately than wind, even the place wind is the cheaper selection. Professor Johan Lilliestam from the College of Erlangen-Nuremberg notes that, past value issues, Europeans search an influence system rooted in photo voltaic, with extra native era and fewer imports. This shift probably ties to geopolitical occasions equivalent to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Different influences embrace opposition to concentrated era and transmission infrastructure. The analysis reveals that some technically cost-effective choices – equivalent to main transmission corridors – face resistance from residents.
In line with Franziska Mey from RIFS, factoring citizen preferences into vitality planning can lead to options which are each technically viable and publicly accepted. Incorporating social insights can considerably affect vitality choices and inform authorities methods.
The examine advocates for decision-making frameworks the place public opinion is a variable in nationwide and regional vitality fashions. It additionally cautions policymakers to transcend financial optimization and account for societal acceptance to foster help. Bridging technical approaches with social realities, this work suggests a extra democratic, environment friendly, and harmonious vitality transition is achievable via lively citizen participation.
Analysis Report:Socially preferable and technically feasible: European citizens choose solar power and import independence over lower Costs
Associated Hyperlinks
Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam
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