The EU has added 6.9 GW of new net solar power capacity in 2015, reaching a cumulative installed capacity of 95.4 GW, sufficient to meet nearly 4% of the final electricity demand in the Union. Although it is still a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) installations with 40.6% of the total of 235 GW, EU’s share is down from 66% in 2012 and is declining, both in relation to a growing market worldwide and in actual installations. This is due to changing support schemes in EU Members States and reduced investments, according to JRC’s PV status report 2016.
Further information: EU keeps global leadership in solar energy capacity, but downsizes on new installations