The analysis reveals that some areas recorded up to 50 percent more Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) compared to long-term (30 year) averages, creating favourable conditions for solar energy generation.
Over the months of March, April and May, Western Europe – including the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, North-West France, and Western Germany – experienced significantly above-average GHI.
Data from Solargis reveals:
March – Parts of Belgium, Germany, and the UK saw GHI levels up to 50 percent above long-term averages.
April – Most of North-Western Europe recorded levels 35 percent above average, except for southern European countries – Spain, Portugal, and Italy – which experienced up to 25 percent below the long-term average.
May – Scotland saw GHI levels up to 35 percent above average, continuing the above-average trend across the region.
According to recent reporting by euronews, the surge in solar irradiance has already had a measurable impact on power generation trends, particularly in the UK. The country saw solar output rise by 42 percent year-on-year, generating 7.6 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in the first five months of 2025 – a record-breaking milestone. For the first time, solar accounted for more than 10 percent of the UK’s monthly electricity generation in both April and May, reducing reliance on imported gas and contributing to an estimated 710 million euros (£600 million) in fuel cost savings.
While increased solar resource availability has created opportunities for higher-than-expected energy yields, it also underscores the growing need for precise forecasting and project evaluation solutions. The variability in solar irradiance across Europe means that some regions saw below-average irradiation, like Spain, Portugal and Italy, reinforcing the importance of data-driven decision-making in Europe’s solar sector.
To navigate these fluctuations effectively, high-resolution time series data is becoming essential for PV developers and operators. Unlike hourly TMY datasets, time series analysis offers a more accurate representation of both short-term variability and long-term trends, enabling better resource planning and operational stability. As solar stakeholders increasingly prioritise precision, adopting time series as the industry standard will support more resilient and optimised energy generation.
Beyond GHI, precipitation patterns also deviated from historical norms, highlighting the intricate relationship between the climate and solar energy production. March saw up to 200mm above the long-term 30-year average in Spain and Norway, while the UK and parts of Germany experienced up to 140mm below average. May was notably dry across most of North-Western Europe, with up to 80mm below average across the UK, France, and Germany.
These precipitation trends broadly mirrored solar irradiance levels, as areas with lower-than-average rainfall generally experienced higher-than-average solar exposure, reinforcing the need for careful monitoring and strategic adaptation to ensure long-term stability and effective energy yield.
Despite these challenges, Europe is well-positioned to capitalise on favourable solar irradiance conditions. With solar power generation increasing across multiple markets, the sector continues to play a growing role in reducing fossil fuel dependence and enhancing European energy security.
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