What is the solar energy market outlook for 2026?

Solar Energy is part of Renewable Energy and includes a number of sub-sectors such as Concentrated Solar Power, Solar Heating, Photovoltaics and Integrated Solar Combined Cycle. You may also be interested in Geothermal Energy, Wind Power and Hydropower.

Solar energy capacity in Europe is expected to reach 235,000 megawatts by 2026, up from 191,000 megawatts in 2021. This represents a 3.7% average year-on-year growth rate since 2001. Germany topped the rankings in 2021, with 58,500 megawatts of capacity. Italy, the United Kingdom, and Spain followed in second, third, and fourth place respectively. Russia saw an 85% year-on-year growth, while Slovakia rose just 0.1%. Solar energy consumption in Europe is projected to reach 2.3 exajoules by 2026, compared with 1.8 exajoules in 2021, equating to a 3.6% average year-on-year increase since 2001. Germany led the rankings in 2021, with 0.5 exajoules of consumption. Italy, Spain, and France followed in second, third, and fourth places. Poland experienced a 106% year-on-year growth, while Romania's consumption fell by 2%.

Top 10 countries

In 2022 major markets in the Solar Energy Industry were: