Across major European electricity markets, solar photovoltaic (PV) generation fell during the week of December 15 compared with the previous week. Italy recorded the steepest decline, dropping by 41%. The French and Spanish markets followed with decreases of 26% and 19%, respectively.
Portugal posted the smallest reduction, with solar production down by 6.7%. Spain and Portugal continued a downward pattern for a fourth consecutive week. Germany was the exception, with solar generation increasing for a third consecutive week and rising by 30%.
Forecasts for solar generation in the week of December 22
For the week of December 22, AleaSoft Energy Forecasting expects solar output to rise in Spain and Italy. The same forecast projects a decline in Germany. These expectations are set against the prior-week performance across the markets.
Wind generation trends in the week of December 15
Wind energy production increased in most major European markets during the week of December 15 versus the previous week. Italy saw the largest gain, surging by 132%, after a downturn over the prior two weeks. France and Spain followed with increases of 26% and 9.3%, respectively.
Portugal recorded the smallest improvement, with wind output up by 7.9%. Germany again differed from other markets, with wind generation falling by 12% after one week of growth. The mid-December comparison therefore showed mixed direction across countries.
Wind outlook for the week of December 22
AleaSoft forecasts wind energy production to increase in Germany, France, and Italy for the week of December 22. In contrast, production is expected to decline in Portugal. Spain is forecast to remain relatively stable compared with the previous week, AleaSoft reports.