SolarPower Europe expects the EU to install 68.1 GW of solar capacity in 2026, just 2.1% below the record 69.6 GW added in 2025. The outlook has improved since December, but policy uncertainty, reduced support and grid constraints continue to pose risks to growth.
The European Union’s solar market continued to grow in the first half of 2026, with at least 33.8 GW of new capacity installed between January and June. The figure represents a 1.9% increase from the 33.2 GW deployed during the same period in 2025, according to SolarPower Europe’s EU Solar Market Update 2026: Mid-Year Analysis.
The result exceeded forecasts published in late 2025 that had pointed to a market contraction, but does not yet indicate a clear acceleration in growth. Demand remained resilient despite worsening market conditions, supported in part by renewed concerns over fossil fuel supplies stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. Higher energy prices and energy security concerns have strengthened the economic case for solar across several EU member states.
Germany and Spain, the EU’s two largest markets, maintained high installation levels, while France, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Greece recorded slight year-on-year growth. Some smaller markets, such as Finland and Latvia, experienced rapid expansion driven by the commissioning of large-scale photovoltaic projects.
