As of June 2025, solar power became the main source of electricity in Europe, accounting for 22.1% of all power sources together in the energy mix. Nine (9) of the top ten (10) countries worldwide with solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity per capita are in the European Union (EU). Solar electricity generation has increased in the EU by 20% for four (4) years in a row (as of 2025). According to Judy te Breuil, Business Development Manager at Wewise Europe, “The EU’s primary long-term objective for solar energy is to install over 600 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity by 2030, a cornerstone of the REPowerEU initiative aimed at swiftly reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This target supports the broader 2050 climate strategy focused on achieving climate neutrality through extensive electrification and the expansion of renewable energy sources.”
Benefiting from the Iran/U.S./Israel conflict, solar power in the EU shifted from climate action as the primary driver to energy independence as a major solar PV narrative. The focus of EU-driven solar PV falls on rooftop solar rather than commercial and utility-scale solar, even though both are part of the EU solar power commitment. “A typical residential rooftop solar system in the EU can cost roughly €7,500 to €13,000 without storage, or closer to €14,000 to €22,000 with a battery, depending on system size, roof type, country, and installation complexity,” states Martyn Fowler, Founder of Elite Renewables.
Rooftop solar is commonly connected to national grids, and a rooftop solar system does not typically use a generator. “A standard rooftop solar setup usually includes solar panels, an inverter, a meter, mounting systems, cables, and sometimes battery storage…To develop a smart solar system that can operate more independently or feed electricity back to the grid, storage solutions such as batteries are key,” elaborates Judy te Breuil. The development of “home” or rooftop solar PV is not considered a short-term solution. As more EU homeowners turn to rooftop solar PV to reduce costs and maximize returns, solar upgrades become part of the energy network operations for decades. “The EU’s long-term solar target is now at least 700 GW of solar PV capacity by 2030…household solar is one of the most visible parts of the transition. The residential sector matters because it changes the role of the homeowner,” confirms Martyn Fowler.
The EU is certainly singing the song of solar PV. Engaging in the process from electricity generation to electricity market sales, homeowners with rooftop solar in the EU have taken up the challenge. They are assisting the EU in becoming an independent energy producer. While there is still a mix of various energy sources in the EU, and fossil fuels are still on the list, “...rooftop solar installations within this sector account for approximately 58% to 61% of the EU’s total solar PV capacity in 2024,” says Judy te Breuil. Energy independence is not an easy quest, but in the EU, the transition to clean energy and commitment to demand generation are quickly becoming a way of life.