Solar power sources have increased by nearly 50% in capacity in Europe this year, according to a new report.
Energy from new solar power sources installed in the EU this year could power over 12 million homes and replace 102 natural gas tankers.
This betters what was a historic 41% increase in 2021.
Why the rise?
Authors from SolarPower Europe – the non-profit group that conducted the analysis – found the rise was due to a few factors.
This includes the Russian invasion of Ukraine (which meant countries had to find an alternative to Russian energy exports), as well as the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and supply chain shortages.
The EU countries with the biggest rise in solar capacity this year (in gigawatts):
- Germany (7.9)
- Spain (7.5)
- Poland (4.9)
- Netherlands (4.0)
- France (2.7)
- Italy (2.6)
- Portugal (2.5)
- Denmark (1.5)
- Greece (1.4)
- Sweden(1.1)
