In June, solar power surpassed nuclear and wind energy to become the European Union's primary electricity source for the first time. According to Ember's data, solar energy accounted for 22.1 percent of the EU's electricity, exceeding nuclear energy at 21.8 percent and wind power at around 16 percent. This significant milestone highlights the rapid transformation of the EU's power system, with at least 13 EU countries breaking their own monthly solar energy records. Coal's share, on the other hand, dropped to a record low of just over 6 percent, indicating a shift away from fossil fuels.
The European Commission reports that nearly nine in 10 Europeans favor increased renewable energy use. Solar projects and cost savings have garnered support for rooftop panels and community solar schemes. Experts emphasize that Europe's next challenge involves enhancing storage capacity and upgrading power grids to maintain electricity supply during periods without sunlight or wind. Global Energy Monitor's separate study suggests that converting old coal mines into solar farms could potentially generate sufficient power for a country the size of Germany, further highlighting the vast potential of solar energy.
