At its center, the European Union needs to define local renewable energy ownership as a matter of security of energy supply. Along with energy efficiency, solar PV and solar thermal are readily available technologies that are easily within reach of local communities, taking into account that solar is usually the technology that energy communities start with, because it is easier to install and invest in. While communities and local authorities should be encouraged to utilize the full potential of local renewables development, this should start with solar. The solar strategy that the European Commission is preparing can help lay all of this out.

Below you can find the common briefing that REScoop.eu and Energy Cities produced in response to the Commission's open consultation on its solar strategy and the questionnaire responses submitted by REScoop.eu.