In the last three years, the European Union as a whole doubled its solar capacity through a wide range of subsidies and supports for those who decide to switch to solar energy. In the EU, the solar boom is mainly driven by the goal to become climate-neutral by 2050, an objective that needs a major deployment of renewable energy to be reached. This goal was strengthened even more after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which forced European countries to find alternatives to Russian fossil fuels.

An EDJNet investigation led by Deutsche Welle analyzed how European governments support the solar power expansion in the continent, and the possible future developments for renewable energies in Europe.

Main findings:

• Today, several EU countries host a capacity of around a kilowatt per person. The leading countries are the Netherlands and Germany, but the increase in EU solar capacity is a general phenomenon that will likely result in all but three EU members reaching their solar targets by 2030 or even before.
• A quarter of all EU solar capacity derives from small-scale residential installations on balconies and rooftops. This depends mainly on the drop in the prices that private citizens have to face when they decide to go solar. Even though this can become a profitable investment, not everyone can afford the initial cost.
• At least nine European countries have reduced VAT rates on solar panel sales and installation with the scope of directly reduce prices for consumers instead of reimbursing them afterwards, which can end up in complex application processes that discourage people from even starting them. Some possibilities include subsidies, rebates, and reductions in paperwork, as well as tax deductions and low-interest loans.
• Not all countries, however, offer the same level of support to homeowners willing to go solar. Spain, for example, has a subsidy system characterized by complex requirements and long delays.
• Another potential problem is the uncertainty about future EU funding. Supporting solar power is not only crucial in terms of climate action, but also because this sector has significant economic potential, as it already employs more than 800.000 people in the EU.

Stories

The data unit

EDJNet members which took part in this investigation:

Media uptakes

From EDJNet members:

• Deutsche Welle, How Europe is paying for its solar boom, 20/02/2025
• CINS (Serbia), MAP: Solar panels in home across Serbia, 13/03/2025