Analysis of the European solar energy market shows that 1.56 GW of new capacity was installed in the region in the third quarter of 2016.

Analysis of the European solar energy market shows that 1.56 GW of new capacity was installed in the region in the third quarter of 2016.

Industry association Solar Power Europe says that the volume of installations from June to September last year represents a fall of ten per cent over the same period in 2015.

Overall in the first nine months of 2016, 5.3 GW of photovoltaic systems were installed in Europe, a decline of 18 per cent over the 6.5 GW in the same period the year before.

According to Solar Power Europe, the main reason for the decline was the strong drop in the UK solar energy market following changes to renewable energy support mechanisms. While the UK installed 4.1 GW in 2015, the first 9 months of 2016 saw additions to the grid of just 1.5 GW, with the majority installed in Q1.

If the fourth quarter of 2016 develops similar to the previous year, total demand for 2016 would amount to 7.1 GW, a 17 per cent drop on 2015, when new solar installations totalled 8.6 GW.