After two consecutive weeks of growth, Italy and France recorded declines in solar output. Italy fell by 8.8%, while France dropped by 26%. Germany registered a second straight week of falling generation, decreasing by 23%. The figures were reported for the week of January 5.
Historic January solar photovoltaic days
Several markets reached historic January records for solar during the same period. On January 5, Portugal recorded its second-highest photovoltaic output ever for a January day, reaching 16 GWh. Italy set a new all-time January record on January 11 with 63 GWh. Spain recorded the third-highest January photovoltaic production in its history that day with 115 GWh, below peaks reached on January 18 and January 31, 2025.
Looking ahead, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting expects solar production to decline in Germany, Spain and Italy for the week of January 12. The forecast indicates a reversal of the positive trend observed earlier in the month. The expectation is based on market performance changes following the January 5 week.
Wind generation rises across most major markets
Wind followed a different direction from solar in the second week of January. Generation increased across most major European markets during that period. Spain recorded the largest week-on-week change, with wind output up 119%, while France followed with an increase of 87%. Portugal and Italy also posted gains, rising by 21% and 24%, respectively.
Germany was the only market showing declining wind output in the second week of January. Wind generation fell by 35%, after two weeks of growth. This contrasted with the increases reported for Spain, France, Portugal and Italy over the same timeframe.
Record wind days and next-week expectations
The period also included new historic wind energy records across multiple countries. Spain reached an all-time high on January 9, when wind generation hit 453 GWh. Italy followed on January 10, setting a new record at 188 GWh. France recorded its second-highest wind production for a January day on January 9, reaching 429 GWh, just below a peak registered in late January 2025.
For the second week of January, AleaSoft forecasts wind energy production will rise in Germany. It expects declines in Italy, Spain, Portugal and France for the same period. The forecast was issued by AleaSoft Energy Forecasting based on market trends compared with the previous week.