Record year for Czech solar: It has already generated as much this year as in all of last year

Czech solar power plants had already exceeded their generation for the whole of last year by mid-August. Last year, solar power plants generated almost 2.8 TWh. After years of stagnation, electricity generation from solar power plants reached a record last year, and it will grow even more significantly this year. 

Czech solar power plants exceeded last year's generation of 2.8 TWh in mid-August. To date, cumulative generation since the start of the year stands at almost 3 TWh. While electricity generation from solar power plants had been more or less constant in previous years, it rose significantly for the first time last year. The increase will be even more significant this year.

Last year, solar power plants recorded a significant increase in installed capacity after a long time. According to data from the Solar Association, installed solar capacity increased by 970 MWp. A total of 83,000 installations were newly installed.

“Growth is being driven by rooftop systems for family homes and businesses. However, if we want to harness the potential of solar energy in Czechia and, above all, prepare for the very real scenario in which coal-fired power plants are shut down earlier than expected, we must step up the construction of solar parks,” Jan Krčmář, executive director of the Solar Association, said at the beginning of the year regarding last year's increase.

Solar power plant development is not lagging this year either. According to data from the Solar Association, approximately 24,000 solar power plants with a total installed capacity of 484 MWp were connected in the first half of 2024.

Although the number of new plants fell significantly, total installed capacity is comparable to the same period last year. This is due to a lower number of new small-scale systems in households and, conversely, a higher number of new corporate installations supported by the National Recovery Plan.

In terms of electricity generation in the Czech Republic, solar power plants have risen to third place this year, behind still-dominant nuclear and coal generation. Solar power plants were already the fourth most important source last year.