Solar power in the European Union

Last updated

Solar potential in Europe SolarGIS-Solar-map-Europe-en.png
Solar potential in Europe

Solar power consists of photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal energy in the European Union (EU).

Contents

In 2010, the €2.6 billion European solar heating sectors consisted of small and medium-sized businesses, generated 17.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy, employed 33,500 workers, and created one new job for every 80 kW of added capacity. [1]

During 2023, an additional 55.9 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaics systems were connected to the grid in the European Union, taking cumulative capacity to 263 GW. [2] 2023 also saw a record high 9.1% of EU electricity generation coming from solar power. [3]

EU solar energy strategy

The EU's solar energy capacity increased significantly from 164.19 GW in 2021 to 259.99 GW by 2023, with employment in the sector growing from 466,000 workers in 2021 to 648,100 by the end of 2022, representing a 39% increase. These developments are part of the REPowerEU plan, which targets over 320 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity by 2025 and nearly 600 GW by 2030. The growth in jobs suggests the possibility of exceeding 1 million solar workers by 2025, ahead of previous estimates for 2030. [4]

In support of its solar energy strategy, the EU has implemented three key initiatives. Firstly, the European Solar Rooftops Initiative aims to increase solar installations on buildings. Secondly, the EU Large-Scale Skills Partnership targets the skills gap in the renewable sector. Lastly, the EU Solar PV Industry Alliance focuses on enhancing solar manufacturing capacity within the EU. [4]

Photovoltaic solar power

PV growth in watts per capita from 1992 to 2014
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
<0.1, n/a
0.1-1
1-10
10-50
50-100
100-150
150-200
200-300
300-450 Europe WattPerCapita animated sequence 1992-2014.gif
PV growth in watts per capita from 1992 to 2014
  <0.1, n/a
  0.1-1
  1-10
  10-50
  50-100
  100-150
  150-200
  200-300
  300-450

In 2012, photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of 17.2 gigawatt (GW) were connected to the grid in Europe, less than in 2011, when 22.4 GW had been installed. In terms of total installed capacity, according to EPIA's 2012-report, Europe still led the way with more than 70 GW, or 69% of worldwide capacity, producing 85 TWh of electricity annually. This energy volume is sufficient to power the supply needs of over 20 million households. [5]

In 2011, solar photovoltaic continued its growth trend and Italy was the top market for the year, with 9.3 GW connected, followed by Germany (7.5 GW). These two markets were followed by France (1.7 GW) and the United Kingdom (784 MW). In terms of cumulative capacity, Germany with more than 24 GW, is the leading country in Europe, [5] followed by Italy, with more than 12 GW. PV is now a significant part of Europe's electricity mix, producing 2% of the demand in the EU and roughly 4% of peak demand. [5]

PV roof-top system in Berlin, Germany. Berlin pv-system block-103 20050309 p1010367.jpg
PV roof-top system in Berlin, Germany.

In 2011 the EU's solar electricity production is evaluated as ca 44.8 TWh in 2011 with 51.4 GW installed capacity, up 98% on 2010. In 2011 in the EU new installations were 21.5 GW. The solar power share in 2011 was around 3.6% in Italy, 3.1% in Germany and 2.6% in Spain. EuroObserver expects the total installation to reach at least 120 GW in 2020. The national strategies are equivalent to 84 GW solar capacity in 2020 which may underestimate the actual development taking place. For example, according to AGEE-Stat (the Ministry of Environment's Working Group on Renewable Energy Statistics), Germany connected solar capacity 7.5 GWp in 2011, twice the 3.5 GWp target. EU accounted for 74% of all newly connected capacity in 2011. According to Photon International magazine the worldwide solar cell production capacity was 12.5 GW in 2009 and 37 GW in 2011. In 2012, production capacities are set to rise to 69 GW, same as the total installed capacity worldwide at the end of 2011. [6]

Denmark reached its governmental goal of achieving 200 MW of photovoltaic capacity by 2020 already in 2012, eight years in advance. At that time Danish energy sector players estimated that this development would result in 1000 MW by 2020. [7] Croatia as the newest member of the EU has a less than enthusiastic embrace of solar power due to a number of reasons. However, in past few years, Croatian solar energy has seen a dramatic increase in the overall output. From 32.4 MWh in 2012, to an additional 46,2 MWh in 2013 with another 108 MWh [8] awaiting to be connected to the national grid and additional power plants under construction with total energy output exceeding 200 MWh. Croatian national renewable energy strategy is to increase participating share of renewable in overall energy mix from current 15.8% (end of 2012) to around 25% by 2020 with solar generating at least 500 MWh.

PV in the European Union (MWpeak) [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]
#Country202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005
1 Flag of Germany.svg Germany 66,55259,37153,66948,91245,15642,29140,67739,22237,89836,70832,69824,87517,3709,9596,0193,8463,0631,910
2 Flag of Italy.svg Italy 25,07722,59421,65020,86520,10819,68219,28318,90118,59418,18516,36112,7643,4781,1574581205846
3 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 19,14314,91111,1087,2264,6082,9112,1351,5261,007650321118976857535151
4 Flag of Spain.svg Spain 18,21413,71510,1368,8074,7644,7234,7134,7044,6974,6904,5164,2143,8083,4383,42173311858
5 Flag of France.svg France 17,41014,81012,05610,8089,6728,6107,7027,1386,0345,2774,0272,8311,054335104473326
7 Flag of Poland.svg Poland 11,1677,4163,9551,5395622871871082723.41.82110.60.40.3
8 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 6,8986,0125,5734,6374,0003,6213,3293,1323,0152,9022,6491,812787574712242
9 Flag of Greece.svg Greece 5,5574,2773,2882,8342,6522,6062,6042,6042,5962,5791,5436312055519975
10 Flag of Austria.svg Austria 3,5482,7832,0431,7021,4551,2691,0969377856264211731035332272924
11 Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary 2,9882,9682,1311,40072834423517289353.74.120.70.50.40.20.2
12 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech 2,6272,2642,1722,1112,0812,0752,0682,0752,0672,0642,0221,9591,95346355410
13 Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 2,6061,6061,107714428244153104604323181098654
14 Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal 2,5361,6461,100901667579513477415296228143131102681843
15 Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 2,4901,7041,3041,08099890685178260757139116753333
16 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 1,9481,2751,1001,0441,0331,0311,0301,0281,0291,01993313217610.800
17 Flag of Romania.svg Romania 1,4141,3941,3831,3981,3861,3741,3721,3261,293761492.920.60.50.30.20
18 Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia 63246137027824724723323822318721790369210.40.2
19 Flag of Finland.svg Finland 591425318222140823917111111111086544
20 Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania 5682551641038274706969686.10.10.1<0.1<0.1000
21 Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia 5375375354904725285335335335335174881440.2<0.1000
22 Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia 5353952081213215107320.20.2<0.1<0.1<0.1000
23 Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus 464315229151118110847664351710632110.5
25 Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg 319277187160131128122116110957630272625242424
26 Flag of Malta.svg Malta 206206188151132112947555291811220.20.10.10.1
24 Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia 462 [26] 13810985686056483319201616125.63.21.20.5
27 Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland 1351359058321762210.70.70.60.60.40.40.30.3
28 Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia 567532111.51.51.51.51.5<0.1<0.1<0.1000
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom ---13,22413,05912,76011,9149,6015,5282,9371,6571,014753023191411
Flag of Europe.svg EU (GWp)198.33161.90136.18131.02114.81106.69101.1195.0286.8580.3368.6451.3629.3315.8610.384.943.422.17
PV in watts per capita [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [27] [28]
#Country202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011
1 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Netherlands 1081.5815.4636.9400.6250.3160.9120.183.165.439.619.17.1
2 Flag of Germany.svg Germany 794.2706.2645.4590.4546.9512.0503.1489.8474.1447.2399.5304.3
3 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium 590.3544.7483.0395.5373.2338.4302.8286.7277.2267.3240.0165.5
4 Flag of Greece.svg Greece 532.9371.0307.3260.5246.9242.2241.4241.7236.8233.7136.755.8
5 Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus 508.4352.7256.7146.9130.9123.164.782.075.540.219.912.5
6 Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg488.4435.3296.6229.0222.6215.0212.8222.0200.1186.289.959.9
7 Flag of Italy.svg Italy 425.5373.1364.2345.7332.4325.0317.7311.3303.5295.1269.0210.5
8 Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark 421.8273.5223.6186.0173.3158.3150.4138.3106.994.870.23.0
9 Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia396.6311.3156.480.80.00.07.73.10.10.10.10.1
10 Flag of Austria.svg Austria 392.4314.5229.1187.5162.4142.3123.9108.990.681.749.920.7
11 Flag of Malta.svg Malta387.9369.9364.8305.1276.0247.9188.8170.5127.558.745.027.4
12 Flag of Spain.svg Spain 381.2276.5214.0196.7101.8109.8103.4106.0102.9100.797.891.3
13 Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary 309.9219.0218.6130.777.137.629.314.03.91.60.40.4
14 Flag of Poland.svg Poland 303.3202.7104.434.712.87.15.22.030.60.10.10.0
15 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 301.3171.5158.6152.1146.9144.8144.3141.7140.8139.9127.417.7
16 Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia299.2174.0176.0106.7123.9124.9125.5124.8124.2123.8105.744.1
17 Flag of France.svg France 256.1218.5178.4157.9141.4120.5107.399.187.671.661.643.5
18 Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 248.5154.6106.968.241.923.115.613.38.24.52.52.0
19 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech 246.2198.0203.0197.2193.0192.9194.0197.7196.1196.1192.5186.0
20 Flag of Portugal.svg Portugal 243.6160.0106.888.365.255.245.444.340.226.821.713.5
21 Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania 200.691.258.729.726.328.827.725.023.222.92.00.0
22 Flag of Finland.svg Finland 106.473.057.539.022.711.13.62.71.92.12.12.1
23 Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia98.998.098.086.697.698.1100.5109.0109.099.395.789.8
24 Flag of Romania.svg Romania 74.272.871.871.470.570.069.466.764.851.10.30.1
25 Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia47.226.926.916.914.912.412.010.68.15.10.10.1
26 Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia29.84.22.61.60.50.70.80.80.80.70.70.7
27 Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland26.327.218.17.36.01.91.10.50.20.20.20.2
28 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom ---204.3197.0193.9176.8137.781.342.926.316.2
Flag of Europe.svg EU466.5354.2334.5254.5223.6208.3197.8186.1171.5155.8136.3102.2

Concentrated solar power

Solar power, the production of electricity from solar energy, is performed either directly, through photovoltaics, or indirectly, using concentrated solar power (CSP). One advantage that CSP has is the ability to add thermal storage and provide power up to 24 hours a day. [29] Gemasolar, in Spain, was the first to provide 24-hour power. [30] There is considerable academic and commercial interest internationally in a new form of CSP, called STEM, for off-grid applications to produce 24-hour industrial scale power for mining sites and remote communities in Italy, other parts of Europe, Australia, Asia, North Africa and Latin America. STEM uses fluidised silica sand as a thermal storage and heat transfer medium for CSP systems. It has been developed by Salerno-based Magaldi Industries. The first commercial application of STEM will take place in Sicily from 2015. [31]

CSP in Europe (MWpeak) [32] [33]
#Country2007200820092010201120122013
1 Flag of Spain.svg Spain 10.0060.00281.40531.401,151.401,953.902,303.90
2 Flag of Italy.svg Italy 0005.005.005.005.35
3 Flag of Germany.svg Germany 0001.501.501.501.50
4 Flag of France.svg France 0000.500.750.750.75
Flag of Europe.svg EU10602817381,1591,9612,311

Solar thermal

Over the next 10 years the European solar thermal will grow on average at a rate of 15% per annum. According to the National Renewable Energy Action Plans the total solar thermal capacity in the EU will be 102 GW in 2020 (while 14 GW in 2006). [1]

In June 2009, the European Parliament and Council adopted the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from Renewable Energy Sources (RES). For the first time, heating and cooling accounting for half of the final energy demand will be covered by a European directive promoting renewable energies. The overall renewable target is legally binding but renewable mix is free. According to the delivered national plans the highest of solar heating markets during 2010-2020 will be in Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and Poland in respect to the national target in 2020 and capacity increase. Top countries per capita will be Cyprus, Greece, Austria, Italy, and Belgium. [1]

In some European countries the solar thermal market is still in its infancy. Bulgaria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have extremely low targets in their plans. Estonia, Finland, Latvia, and Romania have not included solar thermal in their national plans at all. [1]

Solar heating is the usage of solar energy to provide space or water heating. Worldwide the use was 88 GWthermal in 2005. Growth potential is enormous. The EU have been second after China in the installations. If all EU countries had used solar thermal as enthusiastically as the Austrians, the EU's installed capacity would have been 91 GWth (130 million m2), far beyond the target of 100 million m2 by 2010, set by the white paper in 1997. In 2005 solar heating in the EU was equivalent to more than 686,000 tons of oil. ESTIF's minimum target is to produce solar heating equivalent to 5,600,000 tons of oil (2020). A more ambitious, but feasible, target is 73 million tons of oil per year (2020) – a lorry row spanning 1,5 times around the globe. [34]

Solar heating in the European Union (MW thermal )
#Country200820092010201120122013
1Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 7,7669,0369,83110,49611,41612,055
2Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 2,2683,0313,2272,7923,4483,538
3Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 2,7082,8532,8552,8612,8852,915
4Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1,1241,4101,7532,1522,3802,590
5Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 9881,3061,5431,6592,0752,238
6Flag of France.svg  France 1,1371,2871,4701,2771,6911,802
7Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 2543574596378481,040
8Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 223395526547677717
9Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 116148216265625681
10Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 254285313332605616
11Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 293339379409499550
12Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 485490491499486476
13Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 270333374460455475
14Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 202217227236337342
15Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 188204230226334374
16Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 5285106111177196
17Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 96111116123142148
18Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 1859105120125137
19Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 6680737493110
20Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 677384100108113
21Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 8498
22Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 225674815859
23Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 252932363435
24Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 182023233033
25Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 161922252327
26Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 11131012
27Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 122368
28Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 122346
Flag of Europe.svg EU (in GW)19.0821.6023.4925.5529.6631.39
Notes:
  • The relation between collector area and rated power: 1m2 = 0.7 kW thermal
  • Data source for 2013: Divergent figures from different reports. Total of 31.39 GWth corresponds to figures from EurObserv'ER report, [33] while report from the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) accounts for 30.2 GWth and includes capacity from non-EU member Switzerland. [35]
  • Data sources of previous years: 2012 not sourced – 2011 [36] – 2010 [37] [38] – 2009 [39] – 2008 [40]
  • For historical data from 2004 to 2010 see collapsed table below
Solar heating in watts per capita [32] [33]
#Country20112013
1Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 609551
2Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 397419
3Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 253263
4Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 130150
5Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 8083
6Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 78108
7Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 6572
8Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 5868
9Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 5365
10Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 4148
11Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 3751
12Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 3536
12Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 3537
14Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 3443
15Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 2743
15Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 2734
17Flag of France.svg  France 2527
18Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 1921
19Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 1727
20Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 118
21Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 914
22Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 77
23Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 56
24Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 46
24Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 46
26Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 14
27Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 13
28Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia n.a.23
Flag of Europe.svg EU average5562

Organisations

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy in the European Union</span>

Renewable energy progress in the European Union (EU) is driven by the European Commission's 2023 revision of the Renewable Energy Directive, which raises the EU's binding renewable energy target for 2030 to at least 42.5%, up from the previous target of 32%. Effective since November 20, 2023, across all EU countries, this directive aligns with broader climate objectives, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Additionally, the Energy 2020 strategy exceeded its goals, with the EU achieving a 22.1% share of renewable energy in 2020, surpassing the 20% target.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power by country</span>

Many countries and territories have installed significant solar power capacity into their electrical grids to supplement or provide an alternative to conventional energy sources. Solar power plants use one of two technologies:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Spain</span>

Spain is one of the first countries to deploy large-scale solar photovoltaics, and is the world leader in concentrated solar power (CSP) production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy in the United Kingdom</span> Overview of renewable energy in the United Kingdom

Renewable energy in the United Kingdom contributes to production for electricity, heat, and transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in China</span>

China is the largest market in the world for both photovoltaics and solar thermal energy. China's photovoltaic industry began by making panels for satellites, and transitioned to the manufacture of domestic panels in the late 1990s. After substantial government incentives were introduced in 2011, China's solar power market grew dramatically: the country became the world's leading installer of photovoltaics in 2013. China surpassed Germany as the world's largest producer of photovoltaic energy in 2015, and became the first country to have over 100 GW of total installed photovoltaic capacity in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concentrated solar power</span> Use of mirror or lens assemblies to heat a working fluid for electricity generation

Concentrated solar power systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight into a receiver. Electricity is generated when the concentrated light is converted to heat, which drives a heat engine connected to an electrical power generator or powers a thermochemical reaction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Romania</span> Electricity production in Romania via solar energy

Solar power in Romania had an installed capacity of 1,374 megawatt (MW) as of the end of 2017. The country had in 2007 an installed capacity of 0.30 MW, which increased to 3.5 MW by the end of 2011, and to 6.5 MW by the end of 2012. However, the record year of 2013 was an exception, and new installation fell back from 1,100 MW to a moderate level of 69 MW in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Greece</span>

Development of solar power in Greece started in 2006 and installations of photovoltaic systems skyrocketed from 2009 because of the appealing feed-in tariffs introduced and the corresponding regulations for domestic applications of rooftop solar PV. In 2019, 90% of the around 2.5 GWp capacity was installed in 2011, 2012 and 2013. However, funding the FITs created an unacceptable deficit of more than €500 million in the Greek "Operator of Electricity Market" RES fund. To reduce that deficit, new regulations were introduced in August 2012 including retrospective feed-in tariffs reduction, with further reductions over time. These measures enabled the deficit to be erased by 2017.

The Polish energy sector is the fifth largest in Europe. In 2023, the country consumed 167.52 TWh of electricity, a 3.44% year–on–year decrease from 2022. Out of this, 76.61 TWh came from hard coal, 34.57 TWh from lignite, 22 TWh from wind energy, and 13.65 TWh from gas, with the remainder coming from other sources, such as solar, biomass, and hydropower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Italy</span>

Solar power is an important contributor to electricity generation in Italy, accounting for 8% of the total in 2017. As of 2022, the country has a total installed capacity of 22.56 GW. In 2019, Italy set a national goal of reaching 50 GW by 2030.

Renewable energy in the Czech Republic describes the renewable energy related development in the Energy in the Czech Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Austria</span>

As of the end of 2022, solar power in Austria amounted to nearly 3.8 gigawatt (GW) of cumulative photovoltaic (PV) capacity, with the energy source producing 4.2% of the nation's electricity.

Solar power in France including overseas territories reached an installed capacity figure of 11.2 GW in 2020, and rose further to 17.1 GW at the end of 2022. Government plans announced in 2022 foresee solar PV capacity in France rising to 100 GW by 2050.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Belgium</span> Overview of solar power in Belgium

Solar power in Belgium reached an installed capacity of 4,254 MW of power generating 3,563 GWh of electricity in 2018. In 2015 PV solar power accounted for around 4% of Belgium's total electricity demand, the 4th highest penetration figure in the world, although the country is some way behind the leaders Germany, Italy and Greece at between 7% and 8% of electricity demand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Cyprus</span>

Solar power in Cyprus benefits from over 3,300 hours of sunlight annually, giving it the highest potential in the European Union (EU).

Under its commitment to the EU renewable energy directive of 2009, France has a target of producing 23% of its total energy needs from renewable energy by 2020. This figure breaks down to renewable energy providing 33% of energy used in the heating and cooling sector, 27% of the electricity sector and 10.5% in the transport sector. By the end of 2014, 14.3% of France's total energy requirements came from renewable energy, a rise from 9.6% in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EurObserv'ER</span>

EurObserv'ER is a consortium dedicated to the monitoring of the development of the various sectors of renewable energies in the European Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar power in Poland</span>

Solar energy in Poland includes the production of solar thermal energy and solar photovoltaics. By the end of 2021, there were around 3,000,000 square metres (32,000,000 sq ft) of installed solar thermal collectors which in Poland are primarily used for heating up household water.

Renewable energy in Greece accounted for 29 percent of its electricity from renewable sources in 2021. By 2030, renewables are expected to have a capacity of 28GW, and exceed 61 percent of Greece's electricity consumption. This is a significant increase from 8% of the country's total energy consumption in 2008. By 2022, Greece occasionally reached 100% renewables for a few hours. The target for 2050 is a capacity of 65GW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renewable energy in the Republic of Ireland</span>

Under the original 2009 Renewable Energy Directive Ireland had set a target of producing 16% of all its energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2020 but that has been updated by a second Renewable Energy Directive whose targets are 32% by 2030. Between 2005 and 2014 the percentage of energy from renewable energy sources grew from just 3.1% to 8.6% of total final consumption. By 2020 the overall renewable energy share was 13.5%, short of its Renewable Energy Drive target of 16%. Renewable electricity accounted for 69% of all renewable energy used in 2020, up from two thirds (66.8%) in 2019.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 [Solar Thermal Markets in Europe Trends and Market Statistics 2010], European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) June 2011 p. 14-15, Figure Capacity in operation 2010/2020
  2. "New report: EU solar reaches record heights of 56 GW in 2023 but warns of clouds on the horizon". SolarPower Europe. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  3. "European Electricity Review 2024". Ember. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Solar energy". European Commission.
  5. 1 2 3 "Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics until 2016". Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  6. Photovoltaic barometer 208 [ permanent dead link ] February 2012
  7. Lubbe, Anne (12 September 2012). "Denmark reaches 2020-goal for solar energy before time". um.dk (Press release). Archived from the original on 19 October 2012.
  8. "Razgrabljeni poticaji za solarne elektrane".
  9. Photovoltaic energy barometer 2007 – EurObserv’ER [ permanent dead link ] Systèmes solaires Le journal des énergies renouvelables n° 178, p. 49-70, 4/2007
  10. Photovoltaic energy barometer 2009 – EurObserv’ER [ permanent dead link ] Systèmes solaires Le journal des énergies renouvelables n° 190, p. 72-102, 3/2009
  11. "Photovoltaic energy barometer 2010 – EurObserv'ER".
  12. "Photovoltaic energy barometer 2011 – EurObserv'ER".
  13. Photovoltaic energy barometer 2012 – EurObserv’ER
  14. 1 2 "Photovoltaic energy barometer 2012 – EurObserv'ER".
  15. 1 2 Photovoltaic energy barometer 2013 – EurObserv’ER
  16. 1 2 Photovoltaic energy barometer 2014 – EurObserv’ER
  17. 1 2 "Photovoltaic barometer 2016". 28 November 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Photovoltaic barometer 2017". 28 November 2016.
  19. 1 2 "Photovoltaic barometer 2018". 28 April 2018.
  20. 1 2 "Photovoltaic barometer 2019". 7 May 2019.
  21. 1 2 "Photovoltaic barometer 2020". 30 April 2020.
  22. "Renewable Capacity Statistics 2021". /publications/2021/March/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2021. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  23. "Renewable Capacity Statistics 2022". /publications/2022/Apr/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2022. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  24. "Renewable capacity statistics 2023". www.irena.org. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  25. "CBS Statline". opendata.cbs.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  26. "Iako smo prema preprekama za razvoj OIE treći najlošiji u EU, postali smo izvoznik struje".
  27. "Photovoltaic barometer 2022". 28 April 2022.
  28. "Population change - Demographic balance and crude rates at national level (DEMO_GIND)". Eurostat. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  29. "Concentrating Solar Power" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  30. Goodman, Al (3 October 2011). "Spain's round-the-clock solar power plant". CNN.
  31. CSP Today, 11 April 2014 "Italian project shows strong potential for sand based CSP"
  32. 1 2 EurObserv'ER: Solar thermal and concentrated solar power barometer - May 2012
  33. 1 2 3 EurObserv'ER: Solar thermal and concentrated solar power barometer - May 2014 Archived 6 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  34. "Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe ESTIF, 1/2007" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2007.
  35. http://www.estif.org/ European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics in 2013, June 2014 archive
  36. http://www.estif.org European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics in 2011, June 2012 archive
  37. http://www.estif.org European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics in 2010, June 2011 archive
  38. http://www.eurobserv-er.org - EurObserv'ER Solar thermal and concentrated solar power barometer for 2010, May 2011, archive
  39. http://www.estif.org European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics in 2009, June 2010 archive
  40. Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics in 2008, May 2009 archive
  41. since 2010 overseas departments excluded
  42. Solar Thermal Markets in Europe, Trends and market statistics 2006 Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine European Solar Thermal Industry Federation ESTIF, June 2007
  43. "Solar Thermal Markets in Europe, Trends and market statistics 2008" (PDF). Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  44. estif.org - European Solar Thermal Industry Federation Solar Thermal Markets in Europe, Trends and market statistics 2009 [ dead link ]
  45. estif.org - European Solar Thermal Industry Federation Solar Thermal Markets in Europe, Trends and market statistics 2010, June 2011
  46. "SolarPower Europe" . Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  47. "European Solar Manufacturin Council (ESMC)" . Retrieved 12 January 2024.