"European consumers are turning to solar power and electric vehicles as energy prices soar," Bloomberg reported on the 18th. In particular, consumers in Germany and the UK are showing growing interest in rooftop solar panels and electric vehicles as a way to combat rising energy costs.

German renewable energy company Enpal BV noted that inquiries for products like solar panels have increased by about 30% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. British energy supplier Octopus Energy also reported a 27% rise in inquiries for home solar installations during the week the conflict broke out.

Lara Heim, a Bloomberg New Energy analyst, stated, "Historical experience shows that fuel price shocks and unstable power supply often act as 'accelerators' for the adoption of small-scale solar energy. This phenomenon has been observed in Europe, Pakistan, and elsewhere before, and it appears history is repeating itself."

A public opinion survey released by Ipsos on the 18th revealed that 84% of Britons are concerned about the impact of tensions in the Middle East on energy prices, a proportion similar to that at the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. In response to the crisis, the UK government has pledged to simplify the process for consumers to install plug-in solar panels. These products are already widely used in other parts of Europe and can be installed in gardens, on walls, or on balconies. Officials have indicated that new standards and regulatory adjustments will be introduced to bring these solar panels to market as quickly as possible.

However, the report also mentioned that rising semiconductor prices could increase the cost of solar energy and slow its adoption.

In addition to rooftop energy solutions, the shift away from oil in transportation is accelerating due to oil price fluctuations. According to data from the German car consumption service platform Carwow Deutschland, searches related to electric vehicles now account for 60% of total searches, up from 55%. The platform's CEO, Philipp, said, "This shows that consumers are highly sensitive to economic conditions, such as rising energy costs."

Meanwhile, the European Commission is developing multiple response plans to alleviate energy cost pressures, including reducing grid fees and energy taxes. According to a letter disclosed by Politico on the 16th, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed several measures to member states to mitigate the impact of soaring energy costs. These proposals include allowing governments to provide compensation to affected households and businesses and authorizing member states to set natural gas price caps.

Markus Krebber, CEO of German power producer RWE, told Bloomberg that the latest crisis is likely to reshape Europe's energy landscape once again. "The signal to invest in electrification and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports is now stronger than ever," he said.