Wedoany.com Report-Jun 20, Hungary has reached nearly 8 GW of installed solar capacity, according to Gábor Czepek, Deputy Minister of Energy. In a recent social media update, Czepek stated that over 300,000 solar power plants are currently in operation nationwide, with more than 80% of this capacity added since 2020.

On June 13, during the 15-minute interval beginning at 12:15 CET, Hungary recorded a peak in solar energy output. According to MAVIR, the national transmission system operator, household and industrial solar systems jointly produced 6.2 GW of electricity at that time.

Czepek noted that generation from large-scale solar facilities accounted for 99.8% of system load during that interval, demonstrating that solar energy was sufficient to meet domestic electricity demand entirely from renewable sources.

He added that solar power represented approximately 25% of Hungary’s electricity production in 2023, which he described as a leading global share. Czepek commented: “The rapid progress contributed greatly to the fact that the rate of electricity imports was low.” He further noted that the government’s strategy of combining nuclear and solar energy is delivering positive outcomes.

The deputy minister also stressed the importance of energy storage to optimize the use of Hungary’s growing solar capacity. As part of this effort, the government plans to allocate HUF 50 billion ($142.2 million) through the Jedlik Ányos Energy Program. This initiative aims to support companies installing industrial-scale energy storage systems.

Previously, Hungary supported energy storage deployment through three rounds of funding totaling HUF 180 billion. These efforts have targeted both residential and industrial applications, helping to increase the flexibility and reliability of the energy system.

The Hungarian Photovoltaic Industry Association reported that the country installed 1.4 GW of new solar capacity in 2024. However, the association indicated that the installation rate may slow in the future due to a smaller pipeline of large-scale utility projects.

To support continued growth in distributed solar generation, the government introduced measures in 2024 to simplify the installation of solar systems on apartment buildings. Additionally, Hungary refinanced its residential solar rebate scheme. As of October 2024, the rebate program was projected to support more than 300,000 new installations.

Hungary’s solar development reflects a strategic shift toward increasing energy independence and promoting renewable energy use, with strong emphasis on domestic generation, infrastructure investment, and policy support.