Netherlands solar capacity reaches 29.4 GW amid growth slowdown

Solar energy capacity in the Netherlands reached 29.4 GW by the end of 2025, according to data from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). However, the pace of expansion slowed significantly, with only 1.4 GW added during the year—a decrease from the 3.3 GW added in 2024 and the lowest annual growth rate since 2019.

Growth slowed across multiple sectors, including households, small businesses, and large-scale solar parks. Challenges contributing to this deceleration include grid congestion, weaker financial returns, and the impact of negative electricity prices, which occurred for 581 hours in 2025. Additionally, the upcoming end of net metering in January 2027 is reducing the financial attractiveness of rooftop solar for many users.

In terms of installation types, rooftop solar remains the most prevalent, covering approximately 7,700 hectares in 2025. Solar parks on land cover about 3,750 hectares, while floating solar parks—a rapidly growing segment—expanded from 40 hectares in 2020 to 200 hectares in 2025. Floating solar is increasingly utilized on reservoirs and artificial waters to preserve scarce land space.