Recent developments in European solar energy markets have shown significant growth, particularly during the week of February 23. The German market led this surge with a remarkable 132% increase in solar photovoltaic (PV) energy production compared to the previous week. France followed with a substantial 52% rise, while Italy experienced a modest growth of 5.3%, marking its fifth consecutive week of increases. In the Iberian Peninsula, solar PV production also saw notable gains, with Portugal increasing by 14% and Spain by 24%. This trend marks the fourth consecutive week of upward momentum for Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
Several markets achieved record-breaking solar PV production for February days. On February 23, Spain recorded its second-highest daily output for the month at 148 GWh. Subsequently, on February 26, both Italy and France set all-time February daily records with outputs of 110 GWh and 92 GWh respectively. Additionally, Portugal achieved its second-highest daily production for February at 20 GWh. Notably, on February 27, Germany set a new all-time high for the month by generating 251 GWh of solar PV energy.
Looking ahead to the first week of March, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy indicate an expectation of increased solar production in both Germany and Italy. Conversely, a decline is anticipated in the Spanish market during this period.
<pIn contrast to the solar sector's growth, wind energy production faced significant declines across major European markets during the last week of February. The Italian market experienced the largest drop at 78%, reversing a previous upward trend. Spain and France followed with decreases of 58% and 38%, respectively. Portugal recorded the smallest decline at 14%, while Germany's wind energy output fell by 15%. The Iberian Peninsula has seen these declines persist for a second consecutive week, while France has reversed its three-week trend of increasing wind energy production.
For the week starting March 2, AleaSoft’s forecasts suggest an expected increase in wind energy production within both the Iberian and Italian markets. However, declines are anticipated in France and Germany as they continue to adjust to changing weather patterns and market dynamics.
