Our analysis published [in September] reveals that record levels of solar power across the EU this summer avoided the need for 20bn cubic metres (bcm) of gas, which would have cost €29bn (£25bn) to import. 

The success of solar could help shine a pathway out of the energy and climate insecurity that the EU is currently facing.

Many EU countries have already increased renewables targets in the wake of soaring gas prices and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, looking to replace expensive gas imports. Upcoming EU-wide policy discussions could mean that solar plays a much bigger role in the future EU electricity system. 

Solar record

Europe is currently facing an energy crisis of unprecedented proportions. Russia’s squeeze on fossil fuel supplies is pushing electricity prices into all-time highs, with additional stress caused by nuclear reactor unavailability in France and drought impacting hydroelectricity generation in many European countries. 

At the same time, solar has delivered record-high generation across the summer of 2022, helping keep the lights on and reducing the EU’s now critical gas consumption.

As the chart below shows, EU solar generation increased by 28% in summer 2022 (May-August), compared with the same period a year earlier.

Without record solar electricity generation over the past four months, the EU would have had to purchase an additional 20bcm of gas at a cost of about €29bn (£25bn). The new solar electricity added since 2021 alone avoided €6bn (£5bn) worth of gas imports.

During the peak summer months of May to August, solar power generated a record 12% of all the EU’s electricity – up from 9% last summer. That puts it on a level with wind and ahead of hydro, though still four percentage points behind coal power.

Moreover, solar is growing very quickly. The EU has seen consistent 15% year-on-year increases in installed solar capacity – from 104GW in 2018 to 162GW in 2021. The jump in solar generation this summer shows that accumulated capacity paying off.

Fastest growth

Solar’s rapid growth is happening right across Europe. Some 18 EU countries saw solar generate a record share of summer electricity generation.

The Netherlands generated almost a quarter of its electricity from solar power this summer (23%), the highest share in the EU. Germany (19%) and Spain (17%) are following close behind.

A mix of cost incentives and government initiatives are behind solar’s growth. The fact that both southern and northern European countries are expanding solar shows that it is not just sunshine that matters, but also effective policy.

The Netherlands, for instance, has seen huge solar growth – despite being at a higher latitude – underpinned by ambitious national targets.

The fastest growth in solar generation since 2018 was in Poland. The country increased solar generation by 26 times – although from a low base – as a result of a boom in rooftop solar for households triggered by PV subsidies and increasing prices for coal- and gas-driven electricity.

The chart below shows the top electricity-consuming countries in the EU. Most of them broke solar output records, reaching higher solar shares this summer (red dot) compared to last summer (the grey dot). Two new countries broke the 10% share mark this summer: Belgium and Denmark. Across all 27 EU member states, 18 countries broke solar records this summer.

Some evidence suggests that the energy crisis is speeding up the growth of solar.

Consumers across Europe, from Germany to the UK, are turning to solar panels to help bring down their energy bills.

Google Trends reveals that search terms related to solar panels reached a record-high this summer across major economies such as Germany, the UK, France and Spain.

With the International Energy Agency (IEA) having declared that solar in the right locations now offers the cheapest electricity in history, its rapid growth looks set to continue.

Policy pathway

Solar power is already helping Europe get off expensive gas. Most EU countries have increased their ambition for wind and solar in response to the current crisis.

The European Commission’s recent REPowerEU proposal would target a doubling of solar capacity by 2025 compared to 2020 levels, as part of reaching an updated 45% renewable energy target in 2030. 

The proposed target is an amendment to the Renewable Energy Directive, which currently sets a legally binding target of 32% renewable energy by 2030. If the updated target makes it through a European Parliament vote next week and negotiations with member states, then it would put the EU on a pathway to 600GW of solar capacity or more by 2030. 

With sky-high gas prices expected to continue for several years, faster solar deployment would help reduce the need for expensive fossil-fuel imports.

It would also help meet the bloc’s climate goals. Our modelling shows that a least-cost pathway towards limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels would include a nine-fold increase in European solar output by 2035.

While setting ambitious targets is a first step to expanding solar deployment, the next needed step is implementation.

Solar power is quick to build, but barriers prevent its rapid deployment in many European countries. Ember’s recent analysis shows that forecasts of annual solar capacity additions for the upcoming years put deployment short of what is needed for a EU power system compatible with climate targets.

Long waits for permits are one major speed bump to more rapid solar growth. Our research finds that project development times are exceeding the legally binding EU limits in many countries.

Some places with high solar potential, including Italy, Portugal and Croatia, are seeing hefty permitting delays, with project lead times going up to four years in Croatia.

Working to ease those blockages could help meet higher EU targets for solar. This would not only reduce the need for expensive gas imports and ease the pressure on energy bills, but would also help meet the bloc’s climate goals.

This article is also published by Carbon Brief. Illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.