European Solar Hits Record 129 TWh in Q2 2026
Solar covered 19.7% of European electricity in Q2 2026, about 20% above the previous record, as negative midday prices spread in southern Europe.
European solar power generation reached a record 129 TWh in the second quarter of 2026, according to Montel, which reported the figures from the European Electricity Market Summary Q2 2026. Solar accounted for 19.7% of total European electricity generation in the quarter.
The Q2 2026 total was about 20% above the previous record for the region. The report attributes the scale of output to the seasonal peak in solar availability.
Montel also reported that negative wholesale electricity prices occurred repeatedly in southern Europe during midday surplus periods, when generation outpaces demand.
Earlier price pressure in both directions
In the first half of 2026, Spain recorded 596 hours of negative day-ahead market prices, Portugal 462 hours and France 370 hours, according to the same data set. In late June 2026, a heatwave raised cooling demand and constrained thermal and nuclear output, pushing French and Spanish day-ahead and weekly futures prices repeatedly above EUR 100/MWh. In Germany, evening peak prices exceeded EUR 600/MWh at times in 2026.
Negative price occurrences in Northern Europe decreased in Q2 2026 compared with the same period the previous year.
Quick answers
How much solar power did Europe generate in Q2 2026?
European solar generation reached a record 129 TWh in Q2 2026, about 20% above the previous record.
What share of European electricity came from solar in Q2 2026?
Solar accounted for 19.7% of total European electricity generation in Q2 2026.
Where did negative electricity prices occur?
Negative wholesale prices occurred repeatedly in southern Europe during midday surplus periods, according to Montel.