Developing the Solar Energy Sector in Lithuania: Solar Energy Sector Development Strategy for Lithuania based on the experience of the European Union

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Chapter 1., THE RELEVANCE OF THE SOLAR ENERGY SECTOR:
The Solar Energy sector is a part of the Renewable Energy sector. Therefore, to explain the importance and the relevance of the solar energy sector in the chosen countries of the European Union, it is essential to define the relevance of the Renewable Energy sector in this region.
Renewable Energy in the European Union is a very relevant subject. It is a high European Union priority to promote the electricity from renewable energy sources. This is based on several reasons such as aim of diversification and security of the energy supply as well as the goal to protect the environment. It is also an important factor in the influence to the social and economic cohesion.
The European Union aims to increase the share of electricity produced from the renewable energy sources. The main goal is to reach the amount of at least 20% of the final energy consumption provided by renewable energy sources by the year 2020. As a part of the EU climate strategy, this aim is highly relevant while complying with the commitments on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions.
Starting from the White Paper on the renewable energy sources in 1997, where the EU set the target of increasing the energy consumption from the renewable energy sources to 12% by the year 2010, through the years the goal of the EU grew and became 21%, that is set in the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 September 2001 on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market (Directive 2001/77/EC).
The general aims of the Directive were the promotion of an increase of the contribution of renewable energy sources to electricity production in the domestic market for electricity as well as the creation of the basis for a future Community foundation in this regard. It concerns electricity produced from non-fossil renewable energy sources for instance geothermal, tidal, wave,

Viktorija irvinskyt was born in Lithuania and graduated with a Double Bachelor Degree in Business Management and Administration from two universities: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (in Lithuania) and Fachhochschule Stralsund - University of Applied Sciences (in Germany). The focal point of her studies in Germany was the Baltic Region, which allowed her to gain the necessary educational background for the research. Her interest in solar energy sector development came from personal involvement with several companies that were building solar energy plants in Lithuania. Being familiar with this country s political, social and economic environment, gaining experience in this rapidly developing field, motivated Viktorija to analyse the sector and look for improvement opportunities.