European Solar growth continues its rapid rise in 2023 but network connection problems are causing concern.

With 56 GW of installed capacity, 2023 was another good year for solar installations in Europe. The third consecutive year of annual growth rates of at least 40% has made a large impact on the energy market.

Germany, the number one in Europe’s solar ranking, installed 14.1 GW, followed by Spain (8.2 GW), Italy (4.8 GW), Poland (4.6 GW), and the Netherlands (4.1 GW).
These figures have increased the total EU solar output by 27%, from 207 GW in 2022 to a total of 263 GW in 2023.

The facts and figures show a positive trend for renewable energy reaching its estimated output for 2050, but some major challenges need to be addressed. An outdated electricity network grid, that lacks flexibility or storage capacity for the increasing number of new electricity production systems, is a potential problem for the global solar transition. It is reported that grid bottlenecks are a key factor regarding solar development.

Worldwide about 3,000 GW of renewable power systems, of which 50% are in advanced stages, are waiting for grid connections. A situation that could have been avoided with the right planning.

The complexities of connecting to a grid are something that should be brought into the open, with new grid infrastructure often taking five to 15 years to plan, permit, and complete. It is time to make changes to the outdated bureaucracy with too many officials in charge. Modern grid networks need to be planned with long-term energy transition possibilities for the future.  Let’s put all the bickering and bureaucracy to the side and find the right solutions to get the job done.