Historic Day for Solar: UK and France Hit New Highs in Renewable Energy Production

The UK continues to break records for solar power generation, with a fresh milestone reached earlier this week. Around 12:30 on Tuesday, peak solar output reached an impressive 14 gigawatts, according to modelling from the University of Sheffield. At that moment, solar was meeting 39 percent of the country’s electricity demand. The previous record, now updated to 13.8 gigawatts to reflect new capacity, was set back on April 6.

Typically, maximum solar output occurs on clear spring days, when sunlight is strong but temperatures are still relatively cool. That combination has long been considered ideal. But thanks to rapid growth in the solar sector and a string of sunny days, those expectations are shifting.

Interestingly, the UK wasn’t the only one hitting new highs. France also reached a solar milestone today. At 2 p.m., solar output there climbed past 19.5 gigawatts, enough to supply nearly 40 percent of the nation's electricity demand. The surge pushed electricity prices into negative territory.

In a twist of timing, the French solar record happened to align with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK. “The new records underline just how quickly the solar sector is growing, both at home and abroad. We estimate that well over 21.5 gigawatts of capacity is now in place in the UK, a figure expected to more than double by the end of the decade, delivering secure, clean, green and – crucially – cheap power for us all,” said Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK.