EU solar installs beat record in 2021 and growth continues

A new report by SolarPower Europe shows 2021 was the best year for solar installations in the EU with a record-breaking 25.9 GW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity connected to the grid.

This is a 34% year-on-year jump.

The EU Market Outlook for Solar Power 2021-2025 report, released earlier this month, predicts that the expansion will continue. By 2025, the EU will reach a cumulative PV capacity of 327.6 GW, doubling from 164.9 GW today, under the most likely Medium Scenario in the report. By 2030, the forecast is for a total capacity of 672 GW.

In 2021, Germany remained the top solar market in the EU with expected installations of 5.3 GW for an 8% on-the-year increase. The leader in installations per capita is the Netherlands with 765 W/capita, a jump of 42% from 2020.

“To take the most cost-effective path for EU climate neutrality in 2050, we need a minimum 45% renewables target for 2030. If all other EU countries follow the same level of ambition as Germany, Europe would already be set to achieve the 870 GW of solar that would fulfil the necessary 45% target by 2030,” said SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger.

SolarPower Europe also reviewed EU member states’ National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and concluded that all would reach their solar goals by 2030 or earlier. Estonia and Latvia have actually met their targets, and Poland, Ireland, and Sweden will do so next year.

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