Poland's Solar Capacity Grows, Faces Grid Challenges

• Poland's solar surge: 637 MW added in Q1 2025, shifting focus to large-scale farms amid grid challenges.

Poland added 637 MW of new photovoltaic capacity in Q1 2025, bringing total installations to nearly 22 GW, according to the Institute for Renewable Energy. The growth rate was slightly below 2024 levels, but there is a notable shift towards large-scale solar farms. Installations above 1 MW increased from 11% to 20%, while micro-installations below 50 kW and small installations between 50 kW and 1 MW decreased.

Solar capacity expansion has made photovoltaics account for 38.5% of Poland's renewable energy consumption in 2024. However, the grid is strained, with operator PSE curtailing 600 GWh of PV output by mid-June 2025, a 34% increase from 2024. Poland's solar PV capacity grew by 3.7 GW in 2024, including a record 2.4 GW from large PV farms.

How is Poland's solar capacity growth impacting its energy grid and renewable targets?

• The rapid growth in solar capacity is helping Poland move closer to its renewable energy targets, contributing significantly to the country's goal of increasing the share of renewables in its energy mix.
  
• The increase in large-scale solar farms is enhancing the efficiency and output of solar energy production, allowing for more substantial contributions to the national grid.
  
• The shift towards larger installations is likely to improve the stability and predictability of solar energy supply, which can be more easily integrated into the national grid compared to numerous smaller installations.
  
• Despite the growth, the existing grid infrastructure is under pressure, highlighting the need for modernization and expansion to accommodate the increased solar output and prevent curtailment.
  
• The curtailment of solar energy indicates a mismatch between production capacity and grid capability, suggesting that grid upgrades are essential to fully utilize the potential of solar energy.
  
• The expansion of solar capacity is also driving technological advancements and investments in energy storage solutions, which are crucial for balancing supply and demand and reducing curtailment.
• Poland's solar capacity growth is fostering economic opportunities, including job creation in the renewable energy sector and attracting investments in solar technology and infrastructure.
• The increased solar capacity is contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions, aligning with Poland's commitments to international climate agreements and enhancing energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.