Greek PV sector analyzed – data show rapid growth in all segments

HELAPCO’s report on the state of the photovoltaics sector in Greece for 2022 showed significant expansion.

More photovoltaics were installed last year in Greece than any other technology, with a share of 85%. The country was third in Europe in terms of the technology’s share in power production, with 13.6%.

According to the annual report by the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies, HELAPCO, new solar power installations amounted to 1,392 MW in 2022 in peak capacity terms, pushing the total to 5,526 MW. In the following graph are the annual additions, in blue, and total capacity, in yellow.

It is also notable that new self-consumption installations more than doubled in a year to 116 MW from 44.6 MW, reaching 215.8 MW. Traditionally, it is a segment where Greece lagged, but now it appears that it has picked up pace, as more consumers are eager to reduce their electricity bills.

When it comes to size, plants between 10 kW and 1 MW account for 70.9% of total installed capacity, compared to 21.9% for the ones with over 1 MW, while rooftop installations, below 10 kW, make up 7.2%.

Greece is tenth globally in installed solar capacity per capita, with 526 W. HELAPCO also noted that PV is by far the most democratic form of energy: 60,500 installations were operating at the end of 2022 and growth is accelerating.

Thanks to photovoltaics, 4.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions were prevented, which is equal to 3.7 million new conventional cars or if 119.2 million trees were planted and grown for a decade.

Investments in photovoltaics rose to EUR 1.08 billion in 2022 (shown in the graph below) from EUR 606 million a year before.

Another interesting aspect is the average energy efficiency of photovoltaic systems in Greece. Blue shows solar farms and rooftop units are in yellow.

PV producers react to new energy plan

Greece is revising the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2030. In the latest version, the authorities have cut the target capacity to 13.4 GW from the initially proposed 14.1 GW, prompting a reaction from HELAPCO.

Solar power is the only energy source that can currently muster the investments needed to realize an ambitious goal for 2030, it stressed.

Furthermore, the association said photovoltaics can be licensed faster than other types of renewable energy projects, adding that solar power is accessible to many more individuals and entities.

The producers also reacted to the steep drop in the battery storage goal, from 5.6 GW to 3.1 GW, noting that batteries planned to be installed just in buildings amount to 1 GW. They argued there is not much capacity left to invest in large projects.