EU adds 16.5GW of new PV capacity in 2012

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The European Union added 16.5GW of new PV capacity in 2012, representing a 25% decline compared with the 22GW figure recorded in 2011, according to figures published by EurObserv’ER.

The French energy research and analysis company predicts that the slide is set to continue as the industry shifts towards the Asian and the American markets. Indeed, the firm believes that the Asian and American markets helped boost the global PV market, which added just over 30GW in newly installed capacity in the same year.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

According to EurObserv’ER, the strongest markets in the EU in 2012 were Germany with 7,604MW of new capacity followed by Italy with 3,577MW. Together, the two countries accounted for over two-thirds of the total new PV capacity in the region in 2012.

Looking more broadly, EurObserv’ER noted that conditions in the European solar market have not been particularly favourable for market growth in the past year or so with governments introducing taxes on electricity production or retroactive amendments to their laws. Such examples include the Czech Republic where retroactive tax has been applied to PV investments, while the Spanish government has imposed tax on all electricity producers’ earnings. 

At the end of 2012, cumulative PV capacity in the EU reached 68,647MW while total output during the year reached 68.1TWh. EurObserv’ER highlighted that output in 2012 was 50% higher than in 2011 and said output is now three times higher than it was in 2010 and covers more than 2% of EU electricity consumption.

Read Next

July 18, 2025
The average price of solar panels used in distributed generation projects in the US reached US$0.27/W by the first half of the year.
July 18, 2025
Companies have signed 4.22GW of solar PV power purchase agreements in the first half of 2025, according to Swiss consultancy Pexapark.
July 18, 2025
PV Tech spoke with international buyers and investors on key industry issues such as new technology equipment procurement, supply chain management and ESG compliance.
Premium
July 18, 2025
Inside the European Solar Academy's steps to equip Europe’s workforce with necessary skills as it approaches its first anniversary.
July 18, 2025
Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will see the utility aim to install 4GW of new renewable power capacity by 2035.
July 18, 2025
Decisions and actions related to the US Department of Interior (DoI) will ‘undergo elevated review’ of solar PV and wind facilities.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK