The European Union installed around 8.0 GW of solar power systems in 2018; that is a 36% year-on-year increase over the 5.9 GW connected to the grid in EU-28 in 2017, according to an estimate from SolarPower Europe, the association for the solar power sector in Europe, on February 20. Solar installations in Europe as a whole grew by around 20% to 11.0 GW in 2018, up from 9.2 GW the year before.

“It is good to see Europe fully embracing solar again,” SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger said. “With solar being the most popular energy source among EU citizens, the most versatile and often also the lowest cost power generation source, and with cost reductions continuing, we are only at the beginning of a long upward trend for solar in Europe,” she added.

SolarPower Europe Policy Director Aurélie Beauvais noted that there is very strong demand for solar in Europe in the next two years. “One of the main reasons is the upcoming EU 2020 targets, where many member states will opt for low-cost solar to meet their obligations,” she said. “The EU has done its homework – by removing the trade measures on solar panels and ensuring a highly positive framework for solar through the Clean Energy Package legislation, the stage is set for significant solar growth. Now it is important that EU member states enforce the right national climate and energy plans to sustain this solar boom,” Beauvais added.

 

Full article available: https://www.neweurope.eu/article/germany-leads-eu-solar-market-growth-in-2018/