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

December 9, 2024
Located in the northern department of Atlantic, Enel says the Guayepo I and II project is the country’s largest operational solar site.
December 9, 2024
Sunstone is set to begin its engineering and procurement phase in early 2025 and start phased construction in 2026.
Premium
December 9, 2024
After a challenging year for polysilicon producers, Carrie Xiao assesses whether market conditions will improve and prices rebound.
December 9, 2024
US renewable energy developer, Longroad Energy, announced financial close of 111MWdc solar and 85MWac/340MWh storage project Sun Pond in Maricopa County, Arizona, 4 December.
December 9, 2024
Swiss solar manufacturer Meyer Burger has secured US$39.48 million to support its restructuring operations and “stabilise” its business.
December 9, 2024
Chinese solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar has filed a patent infringement action in the US District Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco) against VSUN Solar USA, Toyo and its affiliates in the US and abroad.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events, Upcoming Webinars
December 12, 2024
9am GMT / 10am CET
Solar Media Events, Upcoming Webinars
December 18, 2024
9am GMT / 10am CET
Solar Media Events
February 4, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
February 17, 2025
London, UK