European Market Outlook for Solar Power

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Recording of Tuesday, June 18, 2024 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 16:52 .

European Solar Market Sees 50% Growth in Annual PV Capacity, Surpassing 70 GW Installed in 2023

The European Solar Market Outlook presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the significant growth trends and future projections for solar PV capacity across Europe, utilizing GMO data. In 2023, Europe's annual solar PV capacity experienced over 50% growth year-on-year, installing more than 70 gigawatts. This marks an acceleration compared to previous years (30% in two years ago and 45% one year ago), indicating that the market is entering a new phase of rapid expansion. Germany leads with more than 10 gigawatts of annual installations, far exceeding other European markets. Other notable performers include Italy, Turkey, Austria, and Sweden—all showing substantial increases in installed capacities. Cumulative capacity on the continent crossed the milestone of 300 gigawatts in 2023 with a remarkable annual growth rate of 28%. The EU's share has slightly decreased compared to non-EU countries like the UK and Turkey contributing significantly. Projections forecast continued albeit slower growth at around 10% annually through to higher plateau levels by mid-2020s up until reaching approximately122 GW cumulative by 2028. In terms of VAT per capita installation rates: Netherlands leads globally second only behind Australia; Germany also performs strongly along smaller nations Estonia Luxembourg Switzerland comprising top global ranks evidencing Europe's clear leading position relative worldwide averages renewable energy sector development cycle overall stability optimistic outlook ahead

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Raffaele Rossi
Head of Market Intelligence
SolarPower Europe
Belgium

After three consecutive years of more than 40 percent growth in the European solar market, the main drivers - the energy crisis and resilience support programs - no longer apply: energy prices have dropped to almost pre-pandemic levels. The key question is: How can we maintain the solar growth momentum across the continent, from major to emerging markets?This session will cover: Status of solar power demand in Europe Updated European installation forecasts through 2028 Obstacles & opportunities in leading and major emerging European solar markets.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Josefin Berg
Associate Director
S&P Global

To Talk

Speaker

Daniel Schmitt
Founder & CEO
Memodo
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Wijnand van Hooff
CEO
Holland Solar
The Netherlands

Mariyana Yaneva
Vice Chair
APSTE - the Association for Production, Storage and Trading of Electricity
Bulgaria

Paolo Rocco Viscontini
President
Italia Solare
Italy

José Donoso
General Director
Unión Española Fotovoltaica (UNEF)
Spain

Xavier Daval
CEO
kiloWattsol SAS
France

To Talk

Further Content
The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Solar Made in the EU

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

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Despite strong research capabilities and the presence of leading production equipment suppliers, Europe has been struggling to rebuild competitive wafer-to-module manufacturing, while the USA and India have enabled a local renaissance in solar manufacturing. In Europe, even long-established inverter manufacturers have been losing considerable ground. With the EU's Net Zero Industry Act yet to deliver momentum, attention is turning to the upcoming Industry Accelerator Act. This session examines how policy, investment and value-chain strategies can strengthen domestic manufacturing and increase internal value creation.Key topics:Overview of EU and national policy frameworks to support local manufacturingStatus of Europe's solar manufacturing value chainInvestment gaps and competitiveness challenges Strategies for triggering a sustainable solar manufacturing revival 

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Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Off-Grid: PV-Based Hydrogen Microgrid Projects Around the World

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

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Discover how green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are transforming decentralized energy systems worldwide. This session will be presenting hands-on experience from pioneering projects in Thailand, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa. Find out how solar-powered hydrogen microgrids can replace diesel generators, strengthen energy resilience and enable short- to long-term storage, while supporting environmental and climate goals. Project partners including German SMEs and research institutes, share insights on lessons learned, local benefits and the replication potential of these systems. Selected projects were implemented with the support from the Export Initiative Environmental Protection, a funding programme of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. 

Publications
Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025–2029

SolarPower Europe’s annual Global Market Outlook for Solar Power is the most authoritative market analysis for the solar sector.

Publication
The German PV and Battery Storage Market

The first of its kind, this study offers an overview of the photovoltaics and battery storage market in Germany.

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