European Solar Generation Hits Record Highs
August 23, 2024
(pv-magazine by Solcast)
According to a recent update from Solcast, a surge in sunshine has led to unprecedented solar generation across Europe this month. The high-pressure system centered over France, Spain, and the Atlantic has resulted in 20% more irradiance than usual, contributing to record-breaking solar outputs across multiple European countries.
On August 5, France achieved its highest-ever solar generation in a single day, reaching over 15 GW for the first time. This peak was fueled by exceptionally clear skies and an unusually dry atmosphere, which, coupled with a 30% expansion in France’s solar market in 2023, facilitated optimal solar conditions. Forecasts indicate that this record might be surpassed again on August 27.
Typically, August sees reduced irradiance compared to June and July due to seasonal changes and shorter days. However, this year’s cloudier early summer and particularly clear August skies resulted in irradiance levels surpassing 6.5 kWh/m²across nearly all of France on August 5. Other European regions also saw record solar outputs for August, with irradiance levels 10% to 20% above the monthly average. Germany and Italy contributed to this surge, with significant increases in solar capacity—Germany’s industrial and commercial installations surged by over 80% early in 2024, and Italy added 1.7 GW in Q1 2024.
Looking forward, the final week of August is expected to continue the trend of elevated solar generation. Forecasts predict that solar outputs will be around 30% higher than the same period in previous years, even after adjusting for capacity growth. Solcast’s data, derived from satellite tracking and advanced algorithms, suggests that August will be a standout month for solar energy across Europe, driven by both favorable weather conditions and increased capacity.
Solcast’s precision in forecasting comes from its global cloud and aerosol tracking, utilizing satellite data and AI algorithms to deliver accurate irradiance models with a typical bias of less than 2%.
