According to the latest analysis by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting, Italy, Portugal and Spain set new daily solar power generation records at the end of June 2025, marking a breakthrough in the application of photovoltaics in Southern Europe.
Will solar power grow in Europe in 2023?
SolarPower Europe's new European Market Outlook for Solar Power 2023-2027 reveals a record 56 GW of solar installations in Europe in 2023. This marks the third year of annual growth rates of at least 40%. The annual report predicts slower growth in 2024, with the annual market set to increase by only 11% - delivering 62 GW.
Solar PV and wind energy become the cornerstone of the transformed energy system, with solar PV being crucial for achieving self-sufficiency. By 2050, 5.1 TW of solar and 1.3 TW of onshore and offshore wind capacity will be installed across Europe (see Supplementary Fig. 13), taking up 57% and 36% of the electricity generation, respectively.
IRENA: Solar the fastest growing energy source worldwide This March, solar came to the rescue of Europe's high power prices thanks to sunnier days and increased capacity, with 65 GW added in 2024 alone. As a result, the share of renewables in the power mix was 15% higher in March compared to February, but still 1% lower than in March 2024.
Germany also now hold's the record for the most solar installed by an EU country in one year, taking over Italy's 12-year record of 9.3 GW in 2012. Spain (8.2 GW), Italy (4.8 GW), Poland (4.6 GW), and the Netherlands (4.1 GW) follow Germany and round out the top five EU solar markets.
According to Eurelectric, solar now accounts for over 10% of the continent's electricity mix. This solar boost, combined with improved nuclear generation and milder weather, decreased power prices to €90 per megawatt hour (MWh) compared to the highs of €126/MWh seen in February and €112/MWh in January.
BRUSSELS, Belgium (Tuesday 12th December 2023): Almost 17 million more European homes were powered by solar in 2023, due to a 40% growth in solar installations from 2022. Compared to the 40 GW of solar installed in 2022, 2023 brought 55.9 GW of new solar capacity across the EU27. New solar in Europe in 2023. A booming rooftop segment.