In 2024, all EU countries saw growth in both solar generation and installed capacity, according to a new report from Ember. The rate of solar energy growth seen in 2024 is already above what the latest national targets would require. The EU is on track to meet the interim REPowerEU solar target of 400 GW total installed capacity by 2025.
While the overall picture is positive, some EU member states are leading the way in solar energy adoption. Germany continues to be a major player, while countries like Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland are showing strong growth.
However, the report also highlights that some countries are lagging behind. This disparity underscores the need for continued policy support and investment across all member states to ensure a balanced and robust transition to solar energy across the EU. Clean flexibility solutions, such as batteries and smart electrification, are already mature and ready to deploy.
Trend: Factors Driving Solar Energy Growth
The surge in solar generation across the EU can be attributed to several key factors working in tandem:
Increased Installations: A significant driver has been the simple increase in the number of solar installations, both large-scale solar farms and rooftop panels on homes and businesses. This is a direct result of falling costs for solar technology, making it an increasingly attractive investment for individuals and companies alike.
Higher Capacity Factors: Capacity factor refers to how much energy a solar installation actually produces compared to its maximum potential. Improvements in solar panel technology, along with more strategic placement of installations, have led to higher capacity factors, meaning more electricity generated from the same amount of installed capacity.
Favorable Weather Conditions: While not a controllable factor, 2024 saw favorable weather conditions in many parts of Europe, with increased sunshine hours boosting solar energy production.
Policy Support for Solar Expansion
The growth in solar installations isn’t happening by accident. It’s being actively encouraged and supported by government policies at the EU and national levels.
REPowerEU Plan: Launched in response to the energy crisis spurred by the war in Ukraine, the REPowerEU plan aims to rapidly reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels. It sets ambitious targets for solar energy deployment and provides funding and incentives to accelerate the transition.
EU Renewable Energy Directive: This directive sets binding targets for renewable energy adoption across the EU, creating a supportive regulatory framework for solar energy development.
The Need for Clean Flexibility
The report emphasizes that while the growth of solar is excellent news, it also presents challenges to the electricity grid. Solar power is intermittent, meaning its output fluctuates with the availability of sunlight. To ensure grid stability and reliability as solar penetration increases, “clean flexibility” solutions are essential.
Batteries: Battery storage systems can store excess solar energy generated during peak sunshine hours and release it when demand is high or solar production is low, smoothing out fluctuations and ensuring a consistent supply.
Smart Electrification: This involves using technology to manage electricity demand more effectively, shifting consumption to times when renewable energy is abundant. For example, smart charging of electric vehicles can be timed to coincide with peak solar production.
By investing in these clean flexibility solutions alongside solar expansion, the EU can maximize the benefits of solar energy while ensuring a stable and resilient electricity grid.
The report concludes that the growth of solar energy in the EU is continuing to accelerate, and that the EU is on track to meet its renewable energy targets. However, the report also highlights the need for continued investment in clean flexibility solutions to support the growth of solar energy. In this spirit the EU directive requiring solar panels on new commercial buildings will be implemented in phases:
- New commercial and public buildings: by 2026
- Commercial and public buildings undergoing major renovations: by 2027
- New residential buildings: by 2029
- Existing public buildings: by 2030
This directive is part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which aims to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the EU building sector.
It’s important to note that some buildings may be exempt, such as agricultural and historical structures. Individual EU member states can also decide to exclude buildings based on their special architectural or historical merit, as well as temporary buildings, churches, and places of worship.
European Trends report by
LarsGöran Boström
Sources:
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