EU solar generation reaches record 25% of electricity in June

Solar power supplied a record 52 TWh in the European Union in June 2026, accounting for 25 % of the bloc’s electricity output – more than nuclear (21 %), gas (15 %), wind (14 %) and hydro (12 %). The surge was driven by rapid capacity additions, with 65 GW of new solar installed in 2025, and helped stabilise the grid during extreme heatwaves.

Spain led the rise, delivering 34 % of its June electricity from solar, while Germany’s share climbed to 36 % after a strong first‑half‑2026 installation wave of about 7.4 GW (a 9 % increase year‑on‑year). The German market now hosts over six million photovoltaic systems with a combined capacity of more than 125 GW. The boost is attributed partly to the Iran war and the impending end of domestic solar subsidies, which spurred a “pre‑emptive” surge in installations.

Industry groups in Austria and Germany have criticised the current funding model, noting that a recent grant call was exhausted in just 33 seconds, creating a lottery‑like situation and calling for a long‑term, predictable support scheme that integrates PV and storage investments.