Solar photovoltaic generation declined across most major European electricity markets during the week of 13 July, while wind power output increased in the majority of markets, according to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting.
France recorded the largest weekly decline in solar PV generation, with output falling by 14%. Spain followed with a 5.4% decrease, while Italy and Germany recorded more moderate declines of 1.6% and 1.0%, respectively.
Portugal bucked the broader trend, with solar PV generation increasing by 2.9% and marking its third consecutive week of growth. The country also continued to set new daily production records.
On 16 July, Portugal’s solar PV generation reached 34 GWh, surpassing the previous all-time record for solar output on a July day, set on 7 July.
For the week beginning 20 July, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting expects solar generation to decline across all major European electricity markets covered by its analysis. The forecast points to a short-term correction following strong production levels in several markets and continued growth in installed solar capacity across Europe.
Wind generation followed a different pattern during the third week of July. Output increased in most major European electricity markets compared with the previous week.
Italy recorded the largest increase in wind generation, at 22.0%, followed by Spain with a 12% rise and France with a 6.5% increase.
Germany was the main exception, with wind power generation falling by 28%. Portugal also recorded a more moderate decline of 5.4%, highlighting the contrasting weather conditions influencing renewable generation across Europe.
Despite the weekly volatility, France set a new all-time record for wind generation on a July day on 13 July, with output reaching 215 GWh.
The record highlights the increasingly variable nature of wind power generation, where exceptional production levels on individual days can coexist with significant week-on-week changes.
For the fourth week of July, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting expects wind generation to increase across most major European electricity markets, while France is forecast to record a decline.
The contrasting outlook for solar and wind power underlines the growing influence of weather conditions on European electricity markets and the increasing importance of flexibility, energy storage and cross-border interconnection capacity as renewable penetration continues to rise, AleaSoft reports.