EPDs for Photovoltaics in Europe: The data guide
Planning an Environmental Product Declaration for solar panels, PV modules, or building‑integrated photovoltaics in Europe this year? Here is the complete, data‑driven picture for 2026 so you can choose the right Program Operator, PCR, and timing with confidence.
The European PV EPD market in one view
Over the last five years, 31 currently valid EPDs were published for photovoltaics in Europe. These came from 12 manufacturers, through 6 Program Operators, under 8 distinct Product Category Rules. That mix shows an active but still fragmented category that blends classic PV modules, PV‑T hybrids, and building‑integrated solar like tiles and facades.
Average volume per manufacturer is modest at roughly 2 to 3 EPDs, which means most teams are scoping targeted declarations rather than entire portfolios. For sales, even a single product‑specific EPD keeps you in play when a project team must record carbon with third‑party verified data instead of generic penalties.
Issuance momentum by year
Below is the year‑by‑year pattern for valid EPDs issued in the last five years. 2022 and 2024 were strong release years, with a pause in 2025 that many teams will want to catch up on in 2026.
| Year | EPDs issued |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 0 |
Program Operators: where solar EPDs get published
Program Operator choice influences templates, timelines, and audience reach. Here is who handled PV EPDs that are currently valid in Europe.
- Association P.E.P handled 9 EPDs across 3 manufacturers, a common path for electro‑technical products. This signals cross‑manufacturer trust rather than a single captive client.
- INIES published 8 EPDs across 5 manufacturers, the broadest manufacturer spread in this dataset, which helps with comparability in French‑led projects.
- EPD Italy published 5 EPDs, all from one manufacturer, so results may cluster in one product family.
- EPD International AB published 5 EPDs across 3 manufacturers, a widely recognized route for multi‑market visibility.
- EPD Norway published 3 EPDs from one manufacturer, often aligned to Nordic PCRs for PV.
- EPD Hub published 1 EPD, reflecting a niche but present option.
If your product targets France, INIES or Association P.E.P can simplify local acceptance. If you sell across borders, look at operator familiarity among specifiers in your top markets, then pick the one that best matches your schedule and verification approach.
At Italcementi S.p.A or competing in the PV space?
Follow us for detailed product-by-product EPD comparisons to see which PV modules get spec'd versus competitors like DUALSUN and how to position your offerings effectively.
Manufacturers: who is leading volumes
A handful of manufacturers are already visible: DUALSUN leads with 6 EPDs, Italcementi S.p.A and SOLIPAC each list 5, Midsummer AB and Spenncon Rail AS show 3 each, and several others contribute one or two declarations including PHOTOWATT, SUNSTYLE INTERNATIONAL, TERREAL, Viridian Solar, ABORA ENERGY, SYSTOVI, and Verditek Solar Italy. The mix spans modules, PV‑T, and BIPV products, which is how project teams actually shop solar surfaces inside the building envelope.
Teams aiming to win specs in competitive segments can borrow a simple play. Start with one hero product EPD that maps to the most bid‑active size or format, then extend to the adjacent top seller. Two precise EPDs often convert quicker than a sprawling plan that stalls.
PCRs that shape PV EPDs in Europe
Picking the right PCR is like agreeing on rules before the football match. If peers use different rulebooks, your numbers will not compare cleanly. Here is what the active landscape looks like.
| PCR (exact title) | EPDs | Latest expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Product Category Rules for Electrical, Electronic and HVAC‑R Products | 17 | Feb 1, 2029 |
| PCR for Construction products: ICMQ‑001/15 | 5 | Feb 13, 2029 |
| NPCR 029: Part B for photovoltaic modules | 3 | Dec 22, 2028 |
| PCR 2019:14‑c‑PCR‑016 Photovoltaic modules and parts thereof (adopted from EPD Norway 2022‑04‑27) | 3 | Aug 19, 2027 |
| PCR 2019:14 Construction products (EN 15804+A2) (1.3.3) | 1 | Jun 24, 2027 |
| PCR 2019:14‑c‑PCR‑016 Photovoltaic modules and parts thereof (adopted from EPD Norway 2022‑04‑27) | 1 | Feb 6, 2028 |
| EPD Hub Core PCR version 1.0, 1 Feb 2022 | 1 | Feb 6, 2028 |
Two takeaways stand out. First, a general electro‑technical PCR is the workhorse today. Second, multiple PV‑specific PCRs exist, often linked to Nordic or Environdec families, which is useful when your goal is tighter functional comparability on modules and BIPV parts.
Renewal horizon: 2026 to 2030
Renewal timing is a commercial choice. Here is the expiry outlook for the current PV EPD set, which helps plan internal resources and avoid last‑minute scrambles.
- 2026 shows no expiries.
- 2027 has 13 expiries. These break into three PCR families: one under EN 15804+A2 (1 item on Jun 24), three under PV c‑PCR‑016 adopted from EPD Norway (all on Aug 19), and nine under the electro‑technical PCR group that spread from Feb 4 to Oct 27.
- 2028 has 5 expiries. One is under EPD Hub Core PCR v1.0 (Feb 6), three under NPCR 029 (all Dec 22), and one more under PV c‑PCR‑016 (Feb 6).
- 2029 has 13 expiries. Five are tied to ICMQ‑001/15 (all Feb 13) and eight to the electro‑technical PCR family that run from Jan 1 to Feb 1.
- 2030 shows no expiries.
If your competitors lean on the electro‑technical PCR, consider whether a PV‑specific c‑PCR creates a fairer comparison for your module format. That choice can be the difference between a win or a near‑miss in tight carbon budgets.
The latest EPD on record
The most recent PV‑category EPD in the public registry landed on Feb 13, 2024. Title: BCR 300 V‑PLUS. Manufacturer: Italcementi S.p.A. Program Operator: EPD Italy. PCR: ICMQ‑001/15. Expiry: Feb 13, 2029. The timing and operator tell you where verification capacity was available, which is a small but useful planning clue if you target similar windows.
How often do teams use an EPD consultant
Nine of the 31 EPDs used an external EPD consultant or service provider. That is roughly 29 percent, which tracks with what we see in complex assemblies where data collection spans multiple plants and suppliers. When a white‑glove team handles the wrangling, your engineers stay focused on product and production, not spreadsheets. If you want a fast path with less internal lift, consider an EPD service provider like Parq that is operator‑agnostic and can publish where your market expects it.
Notably absent manufacturers to watch
Several sizable European PV brands do not show a current, product‑specific EPD in the public registry as of Jan 20, 2026. That includes Meyer Burger, REC Group, Qcells in their European context, SOLARWATT, and BISOL. If you compete with them, a well‑placed declaration can become a tie‑breaker in tenders that require third‑party verified data. If you are one of them, demand signals from specifiers may be rising faster than internal bandwidth, which is exactly where a specialized service pays back quickly.
Smart next steps for 2026 launches
- Map your two most specified SKUs to the dominant PCRs above. If your product is more like a building component than a device, the electro‑technical PCR may not tell your full story. A PV‑specific c‑PCR often provides better comparability.
- Pick the Program Operator where your sales team bids most. France often favors INIES or Association P.E.P. Nordic and pan‑EU teams often use Environdec.
- Line up verification capacity 6 to 8 weeks before your targeted publish date. If your internal data are clean and complete, publication can definately move faster.
A practical note on data freshness
This article synthesizes what is visible in the global public registry that most specifiers consult. Recent uploads can lag. Some EPDs from late 2025 may not appear in the counts yet. If you want the full, up‑to‑date background data behind this analysis, connect with me on LinkedIn and send a message. I am happy to share the dataset, answer questions, or hop on a quick call to help you pick the best fit PCR and Program Operator for your next PV EPD.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many valid EPDs exist for photovoltaics in Europe right now?
We see 31 currently valid EPDs across the last five years in this category, issued by 12 manufacturers through 6 Program Operators.
Which Program Operators are most common for solar products in Europe?
Association P.E.P and INIES lead by breadth of manufacturers, with EPD International AB, EPD Italy, EPD Norway, and EPD Hub also active.
What PCRs are most used for PV EPDs in Europe?
A general electro‑technical PCR accounts for roughly half the EPDs. PV‑specific c‑PCRs and NPCR 029 are also in regular use.
When do most current PV EPDs expire?
The big waves occur in 2027 and 2029. Planning renewals ahead of those peaks can avoid verification bottlenecks.
Do many PV manufacturers use external EPD consultants?
About 29 percent of the EPDs in this set credit an EPD consultant or service provider.
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
