Czechia's ČEZ increased solar power generation by 12 percent year on year last year

Electricity generation from solar power plants rose significantly last year. ČEZ increased generation from its solar power plants by 12 percent year on year. They produced 136 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, enough to cover the annual consumption of around 40.000 households. By 2030, the company wants to increase its solar capacity from the current 126 megawatts to more than 6000 MW, ČEZ said today. Prague Energy (Pražská energetika) also increased its renewable generation last year, by nine percent year on year.

Last year’s solar power generation was the second-highest in ČEZ’s history; the company produced more in 2018. Favourable weather conditions contributed in particular to the increase in solar electricity generation. ČEZ says that the experience gained in operating the power plants, along with improvements in their servicing and maintenance, is also having an increasingly significant impact.

Peak generation occurs during the warm, sunny months. Last year, ČEZ’s solar plants generated the most electricity in June, producing 13,4 percent of the annual total. July followed (13,3 percent), then May (13,2 percent) and March (11,9 percent). The lowest output was in December (1,3 percent) and January (2,5 percent). According to ČEZ, solar panels can make better use of their potential in winter thanks to minimal heat losses.