In the week of May 4, solar photovoltaic (PV) generation increased across most of Western Europe. Gains were strongest in the Iberian Peninsula and France. Spain recorded the largest rise at 10%, followed by Portugal with 8.8% growth and France with an increase of 5.9%. Germany and Italy reported declines in solar output.
Germany saw the steepest drop, with production falling by 30%. The decline fully reversed the upward trend seen in the previous two weeks. Italy also decreased PV generation by 18%, marking its second consecutive week of lower output.
May records for Spain and France during the same solar week
Despite regional differences, Spain and France reached record-breaking solar output levels for a May day during the week. On May 6, Spain posted its highest-ever solar PV generation for that period, reaching 229 GWh. France set a new May record on May 8, reaching 160 GWh.
For the week of May 11, forecasts from AleaSoft Energy Forecasting point to a recovery in solar production across Germany, Spain, and Italy. The projection indicates a rebound following the mixed results from the prior week.
Wind output diverges sharply across Europe in early May
During the first week of May, wind generation followed a different regional pattern than solar. Iberian markets recorded increases, led by Portugal with a 171% rise. Spain’s wind output grew by 3.1%, marking its second consecutive week of growth.
Northern European markets saw declines in wind output over the same period. Germany registered a fall of 41%, followed by France with a 36% decrease, extending a second week of downward momentum. Italy continued negative performance for a third consecutive week, with a smaller decline of 2.0%.
AleaSoft forecasts wind rebound for most markets, Portugal down
For the second week of May, forecasts indicate a rebound in wind energy production across Germany, Italy, Spain, and France. In contrast, Portugal is expected to experience a decline in wind output. AleaSoft reports that short-term volatility remains visible in European renewable generation patterns.