Europeans are transforming their driveways and patios into mini solar farms, bringing the continent closer to a “cheaper, more secure” energy system.
The war on Iran and subsequent stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that usually carries around one-fifth of global oil supplies, has sent oil and gas prices soaring.
Solar has stepped in to help cushion the fossil fuel price shock, saving the EU €40 billion in avoided gas imports since the conflict began – according to the latest analysis from Solar Power Europe. But electricity and gas bills across the continent remain high – which experts say has spurred households to “take control” of their own energy.
In Germany, renewable energy firm Enpal BV saw inquiries for solar panels rise by 30 per cent following the first weeks of the US-Israel war against Iran. Over in the UK, energy firm EON witnessed interest in solar spike by 23 per cent between 23 February and 1 March, before surging a further 63 per cent between 2 and 8 March.
And it isn’t just rooftops that are harnessing the power of sunlight, as more and more companies get creative with the ways in which solar panels can be integrated into the home.
Europe’s driveways get a solar makeover
PLATIO is one of a number of start-ups selling solar panels specifically designed for decking and patios after unveiling their first prototypes in 2016.
Now covering 13 countries across Europe, the firm aims to replace paving stones and asphalt in urban spaces, parks and homes with solar technology.
In 2018, PLATIO placed a nine-metre-square installation on the driveway of a family house in Kecsmét, Hungary. The 1.7 kWp system can theoretically generate enough electricity to power base loads such as a fridge and fridge-freezer, as well as LED lighting and small kitchen appliances like a blender or slow cooker.
In 2021, the company installed solar paving in the courtyard of a six-flat apartment building near Frankfurt, Germany. Due to the larger size, this 6.64 kWp system is more than enough to cover the annual electricity needs of a typical three bedroom home if it performs at maximum generation.
SolarPave, based in the UK, also specialises in transforming outdoor spaces with sustainable energy solutions. On its website, the company has three already finished projects in the Yorkshire region, including a residential solar driveway and a residential balcony floor.
How do solar driveways and patios work?
Companies like PLATIO use a toughened, anti-slip glass to protect the solar panels – meaning you can walk across it or even park your car on it.
Cleaning the panels to remove any dirt will help maximise the amount of energy the panels can create, but PLATIO says the performance loss from dusty panels is as little as three per cent depending on the specific installation.
Of course, solar panels fixed horizontally on the floor opposed to angled on a rooftop will generate less electricity. This is because they miss the sun’s direct rays for most of the day, while accumulated dirt reduces their efficiency.
However, depending on their location, they may still be able to generate enough electricity to help lower your energy bills.
It is therefore difficult to say exactly how many years such a system would take to pay back.
‘Every sunny surface’ is being put to work
“People are choosing solar because it puts them back in control,” Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, tells Euronews Earth.
“After years of volatile energy bills, households in Europe and across the world want to take energy into their own hands and solar is one of the most affordable ways to do that.”
While traditional rooftop solar panels may remain the back-bone of home-grown solar, not everybody has a suitable roof.
For example, heavily shaded roofs may generate little energy – increasing the payback time and making installation unfeasible. Roofs made from materials like thatch are also unsuitable for traditional solar panels.
“As prices have fallen and designs have become more versatile – driveways, patios, fences and car parks are becoming part of the picture,” Dunlop says.
“Every sunny surface we put to work brings Europe closer to an energy system that is cheaper, more secure and owned by the people it serves.”