Poland's solar capacity reached 17.08 GW by the end of 2023, with a further increase to 17.73 GW by the end of the first quarter of 2024. This marks a significant milestone for Poland's renewable energy sector, with the country ranking fourth in the European Union for solar capacity growth in 2023 and advancing to sixth place in cumulative installed capacity. 6f621k

In of growth, Poland increased its solar capacity by 4.6 GW compared to the previous year. The growth was mainly driven by prosumer microgeneration installations, which ed for 43% of the new capacity. These installations make up more than two-thirds (66.3%) of total solar capacity in Poland. However, there is a slowdown in this sector due to economic factors such as high inflation, the “freezing” of energy prices for consumers, the high cost of bank loans and the weakening economic position of the middle class. As a result, small investors and prosumers have delayed or postponed their purchasing decisions.

Despite this, Poland's photovoltaic (PV) market saw strong performance in larger installations. Small installations (50 kW to 1 MW) and larger "farm" installations above 1 MW saw substantial growth, with a record 1.1 GW added through 1,417 small installations and 0.77 GW from 80 solar farms. Together, these installations helped offset the slowdown in microgeneration growth, positioning solar as the dominant renewable energy source in the country, representing about 60% of total installed capacity in the renewables sector.

Looking ahead, the Polish government is working to further the growth of PV and other renewable energy sources. Key regulatory changes in 2023 include amendments to the Energy Law and the Renewable Energy Act, which aim to streamline the integration of energy storage solutions and advance the implementation of EU directives. Notably, the European Union's RED III directive, adopted in October 2023, sets more ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for a 42.5% share of energy from renewables by 2030, up from the previous 32% target set by RED II.

Further is expected from the Net-Zero Industry Act, approved by the European Parliament in April 2024, which focuses on accelerating the production of carbon-neutral technologies, including PV. This legislation includes provisions for expediting permitting processes and prioritizing local production of solar equipment and components.

However, the rapid expansion of Poland's solar sector has led to new challenges, particularly the growing issue of "curtailment." This refers to the temporary restriction of solar farm operations, especially during periods of peak generation, such as midday. The Transmission System Operator has increasingly relied on curtailment to manage grid stability, particularly affecting non-micro solar installations during high productivity periods. As the market becomes more saturated, finding solutions to manage energy production profiles, such as east-west solar systems, energy storage, and load shifting, will become critical.

The industry also faces challenges related to grid capacity and the slow pace of istrative procedures for new installations. To address these issues, the development of innovative solutions, reindustrialization of the European solar industry, and a more strategic approach to energy storage will be key priorities for the coming years.

A new report on the Polish solar market highlights these challenges and outlines potential solutions, including the role of agrivoltaics (integrating solar with agricultural land) and the need for more efficient heat and electricity storage systems. With these strategies in place, Poland can continue its path toward meeting its renewable energy goals for 2030, with a stronger domestic supply chain and greater energy security.