Apr 3, 2025
Solar energy production is increasing throughout Europe as we progress into 2025.
Even during the harshest winter months, solar farms in Europe have successfully increased their contribution to the continent's electricity production.
In the first quarter of 2025, utility-scale solar farms generated 68 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, representing a 32% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and marking the highest output for this quarter ever recorded, according to Ember's data.
Significant growth in solar power production was observed across all major economies from January to March, with Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and France all reporting solar output increases of over 25% compared to the previous year.
The primary factors contributing to this output growth have been consistent increases in installed capacity, suggesting that even higher solar production levels can be anticipated in the coming six months as solar radiation levels peak in Europe.
EXPANDING SCALE & SHARE
Germany, Europe's largest solar power producer, derived 11% of its total utility electricity supplies from solar energy during the first quarter of 2025, an increase from 8% in 2024.
Germany's solar parks generated 12.5 TWh of electricity during the January-March period, which is 27% more than the same timeframe in 2024 and 73% higher than the output in the first quarter of 2020.
Looking ahead, it is possible that Germany's solar farms could contribute over 25% of the country’s utility-supplied electricity in the next two quarters.
In 2024, a record 25% of Germany's electricity originated from solar power during the July to September quarter, so with a larger generation capacity in place for 2025, a target of 30% share seems attainable.
In Spain, the total solar output from January to March increased by only 10% from the previous year, yet solar’s share of the generation mix reached a new quarterly high of 15%.
With summer, which is expected to be sun-rich, still to come, other solar share goals, such as the 29% record set in the second quarter of 2024, are now within reach.
GROWTH MARKETS
Further east, while the integration of solar power into electricity generation is still somewhat limited, new records are anticipated this year.
In Poland, where solar capacity surged by 300% from 2020 to 2023, solar power is on track to exceed 20% of total electricity supplies in the upcoming two quarters.
Although Poland is the most coal-reliant economy in Europe, the rapid expansion of clean energy sources since 2020 has enabled its utilities to reduce fossil fuel generation while increasing overall electricity generation.
From 2020 to 2024, Poland's solar output rose by 677%, wind power increased by almost 60%, and total clean power supplies grew by 80%.
As a result of this higher supply, coal-fired electricity output has decreased by 15%, and total fossil fuel production has fallen by 7%.
Further growth in clean energy output, primarily driven by new solar developments, will facilitate additional reductions in coal usage and further minimize power pollution.
In the UK, solar power accounted for 4% of all utility-supplied electricity in the first quarter of 2025, but it is expected to surpass 10% of total electricity in the following two quarters when daylight hours are at their peak.
Similar to Poland, the increased clean power output in the UK has allowed utilities to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, leading to the complete cessation of coal-fired production in 2024.
However, to ensure that overall electricity supplies keep pace with demand, a rise in clean power generation capacity is widely anticipated, with solar energy growing at a faster rate than any other energy source.
This sets the groundwork for further expansion of solar capacity and generation across Europe, enhancing the solar power share within regional electricity mixes.
In the first quarter of 2025, utility-scale solar farms generated 68 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, representing a 32% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and marking the highest output for this quarter ever recorded, according to Ember's data.
Significant growth in solar power production was observed across all major economies from January to March, with Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and France all reporting solar output increases of over 25% compared to the previous year.
The primary factors contributing to this output growth have been consistent increases in installed capacity, suggesting that even higher solar production levels can be anticipated in the coming six months as solar radiation levels peak in Europe.
EXPANDING SCALE & SHARE
Germany, Europe's largest solar power producer, derived 11% of its total utility electricity supplies from solar energy during the first quarter of 2025, an increase from 8% in 2024.
Germany's solar parks generated 12.5 TWh of electricity during the January-March period, which is 27% more than the same timeframe in 2024 and 73% higher than the output in the first quarter of 2020.
Looking ahead, it is possible that Germany's solar farms could contribute over 25% of the country’s utility-supplied electricity in the next two quarters.
In 2024, a record 25% of Germany's electricity originated from solar power during the July to September quarter, so with a larger generation capacity in place for 2025, a target of 30% share seems attainable.
In Spain, the total solar output from January to March increased by only 10% from the previous year, yet solar’s share of the generation mix reached a new quarterly high of 15%.
With summer, which is expected to be sun-rich, still to come, other solar share goals, such as the 29% record set in the second quarter of 2024, are now within reach.
GROWTH MARKETS
Further east, while the integration of solar power into electricity generation is still somewhat limited, new records are anticipated this year.
In Poland, where solar capacity surged by 300% from 2020 to 2023, solar power is on track to exceed 20% of total electricity supplies in the upcoming two quarters.
Although Poland is the most coal-reliant economy in Europe, the rapid expansion of clean energy sources since 2020 has enabled its utilities to reduce fossil fuel generation while increasing overall electricity generation.
From 2020 to 2024, Poland's solar output rose by 677%, wind power increased by almost 60%, and total clean power supplies grew by 80%.
As a result of this higher supply, coal-fired electricity output has decreased by 15%, and total fossil fuel production has fallen by 7%.
Further growth in clean energy output, primarily driven by new solar developments, will facilitate additional reductions in coal usage and further minimize power pollution.
In the UK, solar power accounted for 4% of all utility-supplied electricity in the first quarter of 2025, but it is expected to surpass 10% of total electricity in the following two quarters when daylight hours are at their peak.
Similar to Poland, the increased clean power output in the UK has allowed utilities to decrease reliance on fossil fuels, leading to the complete cessation of coal-fired production in 2024.
However, to ensure that overall electricity supplies keep pace with demand, a rise in clean power generation capacity is widely anticipated, with solar energy growing at a faster rate than any other energy source.
This sets the groundwork for further expansion of solar capacity and generation across Europe, enhancing the solar power share within regional electricity mixes.