Solar power became the European Union’s largest source of electricity for the first time in June, generating a record 52 terawatt-hours (TWh) and supplying 25 per cent of the bloc’s monthly electricity, up from the previous record of 47 TWh (23 per cent) set in May 2026.

Solar outpaced nuclear (21 per cent), gas (15 per cent), wind (14 per cent), hydropower (12 per cent) and coal (8 per cent), marking only the third month it has topped the EU’s power mix after June 2025 and May 2026.

The milestone reflects rapid solar expansion, with generation more than doubling since June 2021 and annual growth exceeding 20 per cent between 2021 and 2025, supported by 65.1 GW of new capacity installed last year.

Strong solar output also helped meet higher electricity demand during record summer heatwaves, easing pressure on other power sources.

Spain generated 34 per cent of its electricity from solar in June, while Germany reached 36 per cent and Poland 24 per cent, underscoring Europe’s accelerating transition to cleaner, lower-carbon energy.

“Solar’s rise has been truly stratospheric, beating prediction after prediction,” said Chris Rosslowe, Senior Analyst at Ember think tank. "In just a few years, solar has gone from a small player to an essential part of Europe’s power system, as governments and citizens look for low-cost, quick-to-install domestic power sources.” -OGN/TradeArabia News Service