Ember: EU Solar Covered 25% of Electricity, Surpassing Nuclear

Solar energy generated 52 TWh in the European Union during June 2026, equivalent to 25% of the bloc's electricity, surpassing nuclear (21%) for the first time as the single largest generation source, according to data from energy think tank Ember published on July 14.

Five years ago, in June 2021, solar barely covered 10% of the EU's monthly generation (21 TWh). The jump to 25% reflects compound annual growth exceeding 20% between 2021 and 2025, driven by 65.1 GW of new photovoltaic capacity installed in 2025 alone, according to the same Ember report. The record coincided with heat waves that pushed up electricity demand for cooling, while wind (14%) and hydropower (12%) operated below their seasonal averages. For Latin American economies with high hydroelectric or thermal exposure (Mexico, Chile, Brazil), the pace of European solar deployment offers a benchmark for what an accelerated capacity expansion can achieve in five years.

Eighteen EU countries set new monthly solar share records so far in 2026, according to Ember. Spain reached 34% of its electricity from solar in June, the first time it has exceeded one-third; Germany reached 36% after installing more than one million plug-in solar kits between 2022 and 2025, with balcony models starting at 200 euros. Poland, one of the bloc's largest coal consumers, covered 24% of its demand with solar after adding 23 GW of photovoltaic capacity, up from just 2 GW in 2020, Canary Media reported. The previous monthly record was 47 TWh (23%), set in May 2026. Natural gas and coal contributed 15% and 8% of the month's generation, respectively.

European solar deployment maintains its momentum: installed capacity has grown at more than 20% per year over the past five years. With summer electricity demand pressured by extreme heat, the next quarter will test whether solar can sustain shares above 20% consistently, not only in peak months.

This article was written with artificial intelligence assistance from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.