Solarpower Europe, the European solar industry association, estimates that in 2018, the entire European solar PV project connected to the grid reached 11GW. This represents a 20% year-on-year increase compared to 9.2GW in 2017.
Meanwhile, around 8GW of solar PV projects were developed in the EU in 2018, up 36% from 5.9GW last year.
"We are delighted to see Europe embracing solar power again. Solar energy is the most popular universal energy source for EU citizens. In general, solar energy is also a low-cost source of electricity. As costs continue to fall, the upward trend for solar energy in Europe has only just begun.
Last year, the largest solar markets in Europe included: Germany 2.96GW, up 68% from 1.76GW in 2017; Turkey 1.64GW, down 37% from last year; The Netherlands 1.4GW, up from 0.77GW in 2017.
Germany, Turkey and the upstart Netherlands were the leading PV project developers in 2018.
It is said that the Netherlands, hailed as the "rising solar star" by SolarPowerEurope, has entered the "gigawatt solar club" for the first time. Last year, representatives from Europe's leading PV companies and a large Chinese module supplier said the rise of affordable solar access and subsidy-free PV projects in Europe would awaken a "sleeping giant".
Commenting on the new figures, AurelieBeauvais, head of policy at SolarPowerEurope, added: "There will be strong demand for solar in Europe over the next two years. One of the main reasons is the upcoming EU 2020 targets, and in order to meet their obligations, many member states will opt for low-cost solar."
Beauvais also praised the elimination of trade measures such as low import prices for solar panels and the favorable framework provided by the Clean Energy Program legislation.
"The solar industry is destined for significant growth during this phase. It is vital for EU member states to implement the right climate and energy plans to sustain the solar boom."
MichaelSchmela, Executive advisor and head of market information at SolarPowerEurope, said that the EU solar market grew by 36%, which is commendable, but the figure could have been higher. At the end of 2018, sudden demand from China led to a shortage of high-quality components in Europe, forcing several developers to delay project completion until 2019.
At the end of 2018, SolarPowerEurope said that despite the removal of the low import price policy, the association has launched a major campaign to revive at least 5GW of large-scale PV manufacturing projects in Europe, including the complete supply chain that supports this plan.
Meanwhile, around 8GW of solar PV projects were developed in the EU in 2018, up 36% from 5.9GW last year.
"We are delighted to see Europe embracing solar power again. Solar energy is the most popular universal energy source for EU citizens. In general, solar energy is also a low-cost source of electricity. As costs continue to fall, the upward trend for solar energy in Europe has only just begun.
Last year, the largest solar markets in Europe included: Germany 2.96GW, up 68% from 1.76GW in 2017; Turkey 1.64GW, down 37% from last year; The Netherlands 1.4GW, up from 0.77GW in 2017.
Germany, Turkey and the upstart Netherlands were the leading PV project developers in 2018.
It is said that the Netherlands, hailed as the "rising solar star" by SolarPowerEurope, has entered the "gigawatt solar club" for the first time. Last year, representatives from Europe's leading PV companies and a large Chinese module supplier said the rise of affordable solar access and subsidy-free PV projects in Europe would awaken a "sleeping giant".
Commenting on the new figures, AurelieBeauvais, head of policy at SolarPowerEurope, added: "There will be strong demand for solar in Europe over the next two years. One of the main reasons is the upcoming EU 2020 targets, and in order to meet their obligations, many member states will opt for low-cost solar."
Beauvais also praised the elimination of trade measures such as low import prices for solar panels and the favorable framework provided by the Clean Energy Program legislation.
"The solar industry is destined for significant growth during this phase. It is vital for EU member states to implement the right climate and energy plans to sustain the solar boom."
MichaelSchmela, Executive advisor and head of market information at SolarPowerEurope, said that the EU solar market grew by 36%, which is commendable, but the figure could have been higher. At the end of 2018, sudden demand from China led to a shortage of high-quality components in Europe, forcing several developers to delay project completion until 2019.
At the end of 2018, SolarPowerEurope said that despite the removal of the low import price policy, the association has launched a major campaign to revive at least 5GW of large-scale PV manufacturing projects in Europe, including the complete supply chain that supports this plan.
