When 3 GW of PV were installed in Europe in 2005, nobody imagined the rapid growth of solar yet to come. Now, in 2016 the 100 GW milestone has been surpassed.
Figures from HIS Inc. confirmed the fact that 100 GW of solar PV have been installed in Europe. “Just a few years ago solar was considered to be a niche alternative technology, but it is now a major element of our energy system. In fact solar power is one of the most competitive forms of energy generation in Europe today.”, commented Oliver Schäfer, president of SolarPower Europe.
From 2005 and within only eleven years the installed capacity of solar PV grew 33-fold. This achievement was made possible primarily due to an 80 percent cost reduction for PV modules and systems, as well as the regulatory frameworks that have been enacted in the various European member states following the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive.
The top 5 countries in Europe are Germany with roughly 40 GW, Italy with 20 GW, as well as France, UK and Spain with each about 5 GW.
