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Energy shortages during the recent heatwaves, when temperatures exceeded records and sparked record-breaking demand for air conditioning, were largely avoided because to a significant rise in solar power generation in southern Europe.
As the sun’s radiation is at its peak during the warmest portion of the day—when electricity demand for cooling is also at its peak—solar power is especially well-suited to surviving the summer heat.
In response to the record-breaking high energy prices of the previous year and the need for greater energy security brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Spain and Greece are among the nations that have installed much more solar panels.
Spanish electrical grid operator Red Electrica reported that Spain built a record 4.5 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity last year, leading to solar energy output in July – It was greater than any other month to date and was often one of the sunniest months.
Around 24% of Spain’s electricity in July of this year came from solar sources, up from 16% in July 2022, according to Ember data.
Over half of the excess demand, which totaled 1.3 GW, was met by solar when Sicilian electricity demand peaked on July 24 as a result of high temperatures and a need for cooling, according to Refinitiv data. Last month, Sicily produced more solar energy than it did in July 2022.
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Solar Power’s Contribution to Addressing Summer Grid Challenges
Grids under heavy load cannot be supported by solar alone. East Sicily’s Catania, located below Mount Etna, has experienced power and water outages that local authorities partially attributed to the heat. A part of the electricity grid in Athens has been destroyed by wildfires, according to power grid operator IPTO.
Nonetheless, increased solar output contributed to meeting demand in both nations. Greece’s peak electricity demand this year, which fell on July 24, was met by 3.5 GW of the 10.35 GW demand, according to grid operator IPTO.
Solar energy has now covered more than 100% of the extra energy required during midday spikes in power demand, even in cooler and less sunny western countries like Belgium.
Despite its rapid expansion, solar still makes up a modest portion of the global energy mix in most nations, while wind, gas, coal, and nuclear power typically meet the majority of annual demand.
This summer’s extreme heat has occasionally broken through this pattern. Nonetheless, overall consumption has been below average. According to data from Refinitiv, Italy’s average hourly power use in July was 4.4% lower than in July 2022, while Spain’s was down 3.6%.
Industry associations, including SolarPower Europe, encouraged policymakers to speed up grid investments and support solar-storage hybrid projects in a letter to the European Commission last week to ensure that solar power expands swiftly enough to achieve climate change goals.
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Source: Reuters
