Solar Power Installed Capacity in Europe

The market forces have caused the majority of solar power capacity in Europe to be installed in countries which have the least sunshine.

In winter at high latitude atmospheric absorption and clouds mean solar panel output is low. Surprisingly much of solar power capacity in Europe is in Germany and the United Kingdom where winter insolation is on average 10 times less than in Spain and Greece.

In summer the ratio between generation in Germany and the United Kingdom is a factor 2 less than in Spain and Greece.

The chart below shows the fraction of wind power and solar power for European countries. Northern countries have the maximum wind power potential and Southern countries the maximum solar power potential. For most countries there is little rational logic in the actual installed relative capacities of wind and solar power. There seems to be no success in the market forces to provide a combined output which matches demand.