Image: Vattenfall
Solar power reached a new milestone across Europe last month, generating a record 52 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity and supplying 25% of all electricity used in the European Union in June 2026, according to new analysis from energy think tank Ember.
That’s the first time solar has provided a quarter of the EU’s monthly electricity. It also made solar the bloc’s largest source of electricity for the month, ahead of nuclear (21%), gas (15%), wind (14%), hydro (12%), and coal (8%).
It’s only the third time solar has topped all other power sources in the EU, following June 2025 and May 2026. But this time, it set a new record, beating May’s previous high of 47 TWh and a 23% share of electricity generation.
“Solar’s rise has been truly stratospheric, beating prediction after prediction,” said Ember senior analyst Chris Rosslowe. “In just a few years solar has gone from a small player to an essential part of Europe’s power system, as governments and citizens look for low-cost, quick-to-install domestic power sources.”
Heatwaves pushed demand higher
The record came as Europe experienced another month of intense summer heat. Higher temperatures boosted electricity demand for air conditioning and cooling, while solar panels generated large amounts of power during long, sunny days.
That strong solar output also helped offset weaker performance from other electricity sources during hot, still weather.
Solar is growing rapidly across Europe
The milestone caps several years of rapid solar growth. Just five years ago, in June 2021, solar generated only 21 TWh, supplying around 10% of the EU’s electricity.
According to Ember, solar generation has grown by more than 20% every year between 2021 and 2025, making it Europe’s fastest-growing power source. A big reason is the pace of new installations: The EU added 65.1 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in 2025 alone.
That growth is showing up across the continent. So far in 2026, 18 EU countries have set new monthly records for the share of electricity generated by solar.
Spain crossed an important threshold in June, with solar supplying 34% of its electricity for the first time. Ember says the country’s support for renewable energy helped shield consumers during the recent energy price spikes that followed the US-Israel war with Iran, saving households about €10 per month on electricity bills.
Germany also set a new record, with solar providing 36% of its electricity in June after topping 33% of generation in May.
Meanwhile, Poland – still one of the EU’s biggest coal users – generated 24% of its electricity from solar in June. The country has added more than 20 GW of solar capacity since 2020, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing solar markets.
Read more: EIA: Renewables just hit 30% of US electricity generation
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