Solar photovoltaic generation followed mixed trends across Europe during the week of June 29, with Portugal posting the strongest weekly increase among the major electricity markets. Solar PV output in Portugal climbed 12% compared with the previous week, while Spain maintained production at levels broadly unchanged from the previous period. Meanwhile, Germany, France and Italy recorded lower solar generation, reflecting less favorable weather conditions and reduced solar resource availability.
Germany experienced the sharpest decline, with solar photovoltaic production dropping by 24% week on week. France followed with a 9.8% decrease, while Italy registered a more modest 1.1% decline, extending its downward trend to a second consecutive week. Despite weaker weekly performance in several markets, Europe’s expanding solar fleet continued to deliver record-breaking daily production.
Portugal and Italy both set new solar photovoltaic generation records during the week. Portugal established a new all-time daily high on 30 June, generating 35 GWh of solar electricity. Italy followed on 4 July, when solar production reached a record 164 GWh. Spain also achieved a notable milestone on 5 July, recording 249 GWh, its highest level of solar photovoltaic generation ever registered for a July day.
According to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting, the outlook for the week beginning 6 July points to higher solar generation in Italy and Germany, while Spain is expected to register a decline in photovoltaic output.
Wind power generation strengthened across all major European electricity markets during the same period, reversing the mixed performance observed in recent weeks. Germany led the increase with a remarkable 156% jump in wind generation, while France recorded the smallest gain at 9.1%. Portugal, Spain and Italy also posted robust growth, with wind production rising by 62%, 70% and 122%, respectively.
Improved weather conditions supported stronger wind output throughout much of Europe. France, Portugal and Spain extended their upward trend for a second consecutive week, whereas Germany and Italy returned to growth after two weeks of declining wind generation.
Spain and Portugal also recorded new July wind production milestones on 2 July. Spain generated 252 GWh of wind electricity, its highest daily output for a July day in the past four years, while Portugal produced 66 GWh, marking its strongest July daily wind generation in the last five years.
Looking ahead, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting expects wind generation to continue increasing in Germany during the week of 6 July, while output is forecast to decline in France, Italy and the Iberian Peninsula. The latest renewable generation trends underline the growing impact of weather-driven solar and wind variability on European electricity markets, with renewable output playing an increasingly important role in shaping wholesale prices, cross-border electricity flows and short-term trading opportunities, AleaSoft reports.
