Solar Powers 25% of EU Electricity in June
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- Solar power generated 52 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in the European Union in June 2026, supplying 25% of the bloc’s total electricity use for the month.
- European Union saw solar become its largest electricity source in June 2026, ahead of nuclear (21%), gas (15%), wind (14%), hydro (12%), and coal (8%).
- Ember reported that solar generation has grown by more than 20% annually since 2021, with the EU adding 65.1 gigawatts of new solar capacity in 2025 alone.
- Spain set a national record in June 2026 with solar providing 34% of its electricity, aided by renewable policies that saved households about €10 monthly during energy price spikes.
- Germany generated 36% of its electricity from solar in June 2026, up from 33% in May, marking a new national high for the country.
- Poland, one of the EU’s largest coal users, produced 24% of its electricity from solar in June 2026, having added over 20 gigawatts of solar capacity since 2020.
Why it matters: Solar’s 25% share marks a structural shift in the EU’s power mix, displacing fossil fuels and nuclear as the top source. With 18 countries setting monthly solar records in 2026 and households saving on bills, the pace of deployment is outstripping earlier projections and reducing reliance on imported energy.
