Solar power in Austria

Solar potential

As of the end of 2022, solar power in Austria amounted to nearly 3.8 gigawatt (GW) of cumulative photovoltaic (PV) capacity, with the energy source producing 4.2% of the nation's electricity.[1][2]

In addition to supporting PV installations through permitting simplification and cash grants, the Austrian government is targeting 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030.[3][4]

Solar roof, sports hall, Voralberg

In 2009, the site of Zwentendorf power station became Austria's largest solar power station with an investment of 1.2 million Euro, with the addition of 1,000 photovoltaic panels.[5] Zwentendorf was intended to be Austria's first nuclear power plant, but after a vote in 1978 prohibiting nuclear power in Austria, was never completed.[6] In September, 2011, Austria's largest solar power station, 2 MW, was under construction in the Niedere Tauern mountain range.[7]

Austria has also a large capacity of solar heating at its disposal. With more than 3,500 MWthermal the country ranks second in the EU, only behind much larger Germany.[8]

  1. ^ Anu Bhambhani (2023-06-27). "PV Austria Say Country Exceeded 1 GW PV Capacity For 1st Time, Taking Cumulative To 3.8 GW". Taiyang News. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  2. ^ "Distribution of electricity generation in Austria in 2022, by source". Statista. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  3. ^ Nikolaus J. Kurmayer (2023-01-11). "Austria commits to significant renewables boost". Euractiv. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  4. ^ Kit Gillet (2022-11-21). "Austria steps up funding to accelerate green progress". Financial Times. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  5. ^ History Archived 2012-05-08 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Austrian Nuclear Plant Becomes Solar Power Station Archived 2012-07-08 at archive.today
  7. ^ Albasolar provides 2MW for the largest solar Park in Austria
  8. ^ EurObserv'ER: Solar thermal and concentrated solar power barometer - May 2014