The current energy crisis not only causes the cost of electricity to skyrocket in Europe, but the price of solar energy. This renewable energy used to alleviate the cost of electricity is also increasing rapidly.
According to public data of the European Energy Association, the increase in polisilicio prices and recent demand for Photovoltaic modules They have caused an increase in the cost of solar energy in the European region.
European solar offers reached 59,43 euros/MWh in the second quarter of 2022, which means an increase in 19,1% interannual. Even so, European countries that face the energy crisis continue to consider the development of the photovoltaic industry as a main solution.
Display of solar energy in Europe
The Ministry of Ecological Transition of Spain launches in November its fourth tender of 3,3 GW of new energy projects this year. This includes 1.8GW of photovoltaic solar projects.
The German government, for his part, destination 10 million euros in October to support the installation of Solar modules and cables 600W on balconies and facades. Each home that one will install will receive a reduction of 500 euros. Thus, reduces the cost of expenses when electricity prices rise.
According to the General Directorate of Portuguese Energy and Geology, In the first half of the year about 546MW of new photovoltaic systems were installed in Portugal. Of them, 321 MW comes from self -generation facilities in homes and commercial and industrial sectors. And the generation of solar energy reached a historical maximum in July, representing the 9% of the total electricity production of the country.
Italy and Switzerland are also actively deploying their photovoltaic chains. In the first semester of 2022 They were installed in Italy 1.061MW of photovoltaic energy. It is a significant increase in size compared to the 362MW of the same period last year.
The Swiss Association of Solar Energy has indicated that they are expected to display between 850 Y 900 MW of photovoltaic energy in 2022. Last year, The residential solar sector in Switzerland grew a 60% about, while the commercial and industrial sector did it in a 53%.
Solar energy reduces the cost of electricity
A study by the Norwegian Energy Research Institute Rystad Energy shows that it is 10 times cheaper to build new solar plants in Europe than to continue exploiting long -term gas plants.
Gas prices in Europe have fired since Russia reduced their gas exports. TTF cash prices have risen to an average 134 euros/MWh so far this year. This makes him Lcohe of existing gas power plants is almost 150 euros/MWh, What triples new solar facilities.
So that gas plants are still competitive, The price of natural gas would have to lower to a level close to the 17 euros per MWH and the price of carbon would have to go down to 10 euros per ton. This is unthinkable at this time.
The gas will continue to play an important role in the energy combination of Europe for some time. While, Renewable energies will continue to develop. Rystad predicts that if the gas background is invested in renewables, Europe will replace gas energy with Solar and wind terrestrial in 2028. The total generation capacity will then reach the 333 GW.
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