Weekly shift in solar photovoltaic generation
In the week of May 18, solar photovoltaic (PV) generation increased across the main European electricity markets versus the previous week. Germany recorded the largest rise at 28%, followed by Italy at 19% and France at 11%. Spain increased by 2.2%, while Portugal grew by 9.4%. France and Spain extended their upward run to a third consecutive week, while Germany and Italy posted gains for a second week in a row.
Several countries also reached record daily solar generation levels for May during the same period. On May 20, Italy and Portugal recorded their highest daily solar output of the month at 160 GWh and 28 GWh, respectively. Spain generated 227 GWh on May 20, its second-highest daily total in May. France set a new May record on May 22 with 169 GWh.
Germany reached its monthly peak for solar on May 25 with 480 GWh, which was also its second-highest ever daily solar output. Forecasts for the week of May 25 from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting point to continued growth in solar production in Germany, Italy and Spain. The outlook indicates that high photovoltaic output is likely to persist as seasonal conditions remain favorable.
Wind generation declines across major markets
Wind energy production moved in the opposite direction during the third week of May, falling across most major European markets. Germany saw the steepest decline, dropping by 57%, while Italy recorded a decrease of 13%. Spain fell by 28%, Portugal declined by 30%, and France dropped by 33%. Portugal extended its downward trend to a second consecutive week.
The source data links Portugal’s second straight weekly fall to weaker wind conditions across the Iberian Peninsula and parts of Western Europe. Even with the broader decline, Italy reached a peak daily wind generation level for May on May 22 at 131 GWh. The figures show intra-week volatility in wind output despite the overall downward direction during the period.
Outlook for late-May wind patterns
For the final week of May, forecasts indicate a rebound in wind generation in Germany. At the same time, lower wind production is expected for the Iberian Peninsula, France and Italy. AleaSoft reports that regional wind patterns are diverging across Europe into the last week of the month.
