EU solar power soars by almost 50% in 2022: Which country installed the most?

Solar power in Europe has soared by almost 50 per cent in 2022, according to a new report from industry group SolarPower Europe.

It reveals that the EU installed a record-breaking 41.4 GW of solar this year - enough to power the equivalent of 12.4 million homes. That is a 47 per cent increase from the 28.1 GW installed in 2021.

In one year, the bloc’s capacity to generate power from this renewable source has increased by 25 per cent.

“The numbers are clear. Solar is offering a lifeline amid energy and climate crises,” says Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe.

“No other energy source is growing as quickly or reliably as solar.”

And the growth of solar shows no signs of slowing down. The International Energy Agency says the EU needs to install around 60 GW of solar power in 2023 to compensate for shortfalls in Russian gas.

With rapid and targeted support, SolarPower Europe believes that Europe could fill this gap.

There are 10 EU countries that are now adding at least 1 GW of solar power a year.

Germany installed more solar than any other country in the bloc, adding almost 8 GW in 2022. The country has held the number one spot since the early 2000s but it saw a big boost in the last year as high energy prices made the renewable energy source a cost-effective solution.

It was closely followed by Spain (7.5 GW) which saw a 55 per cent increase in solar installation in 2022. This was in part thanks to the growth in rooftop solar panels and the energy crisis.

Poland (4.9 GW), the Netherlands (4.0 GW) and France (2.7 GW) make up the rest of the top five countries.

Portugal came in just behind France, its first time in the top 10, with an incredible 251 per cent growth in the amount of solar installed compared to 2021.

The top