Photovoltaics in Europe – statistics and facts

Published on: November 6th, 2020 / Update from: November 9th, 2020 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Photovoltaics in Europe – Statistics and Facts / Photovoltaic in Europe – Statistics & Facts

Since 2012, the production volume of electricity from photovoltaic solar energy has been steadily increasing in the European Union (EU). In 2018, 122,316 gigawatt hours were produced, compared to 67,523 gigawatt hours in 2012. In 2018, Germany had the highest capacity increase in all of Europe at 2.95 gigawatts. An estimated capacity increase of 6.1 gigawatts is expected for Germany by 2023.

Despite the increase in production volumes in Europe, the total number of jobs in the photovoltaic industry fell between 2008 and 2016, especially in Spain. However, the forecasts show a recovery in employment numbers by 2021, amounting to 174,682 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. By 2021, the GVA of the PV solar industry in the European Union is expected to increase to 9.5 billion euros.

The main developer in Europe is Germany-based Juwi AG with an installed capacity of more than 2,500 megawatts.

In 2018, a total of 53.4 million square meters of solar thermal surfaces were installed in the European Union. In the same year, the thermal capacity of the installed solar thermal areas amounted to 1,546.1 megawatts.

Germany is the country with the highest installed PV solar capacity per capita in the European Union. In 2018, it reported 546.9 watts per resident.

Since 2012, the production volume of electricity from solar photovoltaic power in the European Union (EU) has been steadily increasing. In 2018, 122,316 gigawatt-hours was produced, compared to the 67,523 gigawatt-hours recorded in 2012. In 2018, Germany had the highest capacity additions throughout Europe, amounting to 2.95 gigawatts. By 2023, Germany is projected to reach estimated capacity additions of 6.1 gigawatts.

Despite the increase in production volume in Europe, the overall number of jobs in the solar photovoltaic industry decreased between 2008 and 2016, especially in Spain. However, projections show a recovery in employment numbers by 2021, amounting to 174,682 FTE (full-time equivalent) jobs. By 2021, the GVA from the solar PV industry in the European Union is expected to increase to 9.5 billion euros.

The main developer in Europe is the German based Juwi AG, which had an installed capacity of more than 2,500 megawatts.

2018 saw a total of 53.4 million square meters of solar thermal surfaces installed in the European Union. In the same year, the capacity of installed solar thermal surfaces amounted to 1,546.1 megawatts thermal.

Germany is the country with the highest installed solar PV capacity per inhabitant in the European Union. In 2018, it reported 546.9 watts per inhabitant.

Leading European solar photovoltaic developers in Europe in 2018, by installed capacity (in megawatts)

Solar PV in Europe

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