Fed-in solar energy output more than doubles in first half-year

In the first six months of the year, Estonian solar power plants fed approximately 6 gigawatt-hours into the grid, compared to 2.7 gigawatt-hours during the same period last year.

Whereas the total power capacity of Estonian solar plants was 14 megawatts at the end of last year, it had grown to 19 megawatts by the end of this June and there are now a total of over 1,200 plants. Recently, increasingly larger plants – with a capacity of over 100 kilowatts – have started to be added.

As solar panels are predominantly installed by households or commercial consumers who use the bulk of the electricity themselves, the annual output of Estonian solar plants can range up to 19 gigawatt-hours. Thus electricity generated from the sun makes up about one per cent of all electricity generated from renewable sources.

Producers can apply for renewable energy support for the solar energy fed into the grid. Under amendments to the Electricity Market Act that entered into force in July, new solar plants up to 1 megawatt in capacity are eligible for support if they commence production before the end of the year. Smaller, up to 50-kilowatt solar panel installations have the right to renewable energy subsidies if they start generating before the end of 2020.