Can solar energy thrive in the Nordics?

Solar energy in the Nordics is gaining serious momentum. With increasing installations and ambitious targets, the region proves solar can thrive even in northern climates. The rapid progress across these countries sets a clear path for solar to become a key pillar in their renewable energy future.

Which Nordic countries are embracing solar PV technology?

During the recent surge in solar PV installations, the Nordic countries – Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark – have increasingly embraced solar PV technology, defying their northern geographical challenges.

How many solar modules are there in Europe & Norway?

A paid subscription is required for full access. As of August 2024, there were 55 solar module manufacturers operating in the European Union and Norway. In total, the solar module manufacturing capacity in the region stood at 14.1 gigawatts. The European Union and Norway also had a total of 26 research centers for solar technologies.

Is solar PV a new power source in Norway?

However, in our Energy Transition Outlook we find that solar PV is probably the only new power source in Norway able to add capacity in the coming years. Wind, hydropower or nuclear require extensive legal and licensing frameworks and they have much longer build times compared to solar PV.

Does Finland have solar power?

In 2023, solar PV provided 1% of the electricity into the Swedish grid (Electricity Maps, 2024). Finland's journey in solar energy is characterized by steady progress. The country's installed solar PV capacity reached approximately 1 GW by the end of 2023 and numbers are expected to almost triple by 2030 (Solar Power Europe, 2023).

How much solar power does Norway have?

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE, 2024) reported a total installed capacity of around 0.6 GW by the end of 2023. About half of the capacity is installed on households - the rest for industrial and commercial use, with a very limited Utility scale solar.