New analysis reveals that EU solar stalls, 2025 projected to mark first year of market decline in a decade

In 2025, on current predictions, the EU is set to install 64.2 GW, a decrease from 65.1 GW in 2024. The new installations do help to deliver the European Commission’s 2025 solar target of 400 GW – by the end of the year the bloc should host 402 GW.

In order to meet the 2030 target, and deliver the continent’s decarbonisation and competitiveness goals, Europe must install nearly 70 GW per year through the rest of the decade. The current trend suggests that Europe will fall short of its goals, hosting 723 GW of solar PV by 2030, compared to the required 750 GW.

The analysis comes as solar’s performance for Europe hits the headlines. According to Ember, for the first time, solar delivered most of the EU’s monthly electricity in June. The UN reports that renewable energy drives one third of EU economic growth. IRENA tells us that solar is 41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil fuel alternatives.

Dries Acke, Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe (he/him) said, “The number may seem small, but the symbolism is big. Market decline, right when solar is meant to be accelerating, deserves EU leaders’ attention. Europe needs competitive electricity, energy security, and climate solutions. Solar delivers on all of those needs. Now policymakers must deliver the electrification, flexibility and energy storage frameworks that will drive solar success through the rest of the decade.”