EU Solar Generates Record 25% of Electricity for First Time
For the 1st Time, The European Union Generates 25% of Its Electricity from Solar Energy
For the first time in history, solar energy generated 25% of the European Union’s electricity in June 2026, making it the bloc’s largest source of power for the month. Solar produced a record 52 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, surpassing all other energy sources and setting a new monthly record across the 27-member EU.
According to energy think tank Ember, this is the first month that solar has supplied one-quarter of the EU’s electricity. The record exceeded the previous monthly high of 47 TWh, or 23%, set just one month earlier in May 2026. The achievement reflects Europe’s rapid expansion of solar capacity in recent years.
Solar also overtook every other electricity source in June. It accounted for 25% of generation, ahead of nuclear (21%), natural gas (15%), wind (14%), hydropower (12%), and coal (8%). June 2026 marked only the third month that solar has been the EU’s largest electricity source, following June 2025 and May 2026.
The growth has been remarkable. In June 2021, solar supplied only 10% of the EU’s electricity, generating about 21 TWh. Since then, annual solar installations have accelerated rapidly. The EU added 65.1 GW of new solar capacity during 2025 alone, helping solar become one of Europe’s fastest-growing energy sources.
Several countries also achieved new milestones. Germany generated 36% of its electricity from solar in June, up from 33% in May. Spain crossed the one-third mark for the first time, with solar supplying 34% of its electricity, while Poland reached a record 24%. Overall, 18 EU countries set new monthly solar generation records during 2026.
The record came during intense summer heatwaves across Europe. Higher temperatures increased electricity demand for air conditioning, while some conventional power plants faced operational challenges. Strong solar generation helped support electricity supplies during periods of peak demand and reduced pressure on the power system.
The latest milestone highlights Europe’s accelerating shift toward renewable energy. Solar has evolved from a minor contributor into a cornerstone of the EU’s electricity system in just a few years. As more solar projects, battery storage, and grid upgrades are deployed, renewable energy is expected to play an even greater role in Europe’s future electricity supply.
Sources:
- Euro News
- Reuters
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