Solar OPEX Europe | O&M Costs 2026
This page presents solar OPEX Europe data for the main European markets. Values are expressed in €/kWp/an and cover three segments: utility-scale (>1 MW), commercial (100 kW-1 MW) and residential (<100 kW). Data is compiled from public sources (IRENA O&M Benchmark 2025, IEA PVPS Task 12) and updated annually.
Country comparison (€/kWp/an)
| Country | Utility-scale | Commercial | Residential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 8-12 | 12-18 | 15-25 |
| France | 9-13 | 13-19 | 16-26 |
| Spain | 7-11 | 10-16 | 13-22 |
| Italy | 8-12 | 11-17 | 14-24 |
| Netherlands | 9-13 | 13-19 | 16-25 |
| Poland | 6-10 | 9-14 | 12-20 |
| Portugal | 7-10 | 10-15 | 13-21 |
| Greece | 7-11 | 10-16 | 13-22 |
| Austria | 9-13 | 12-18 | 15-25 |
| Belgium | 9-13 | 13-18 | 16-25 |
Last updated : Mars 2026. Indicative values, ranges per segment.
Methodology & Sources
Data presented comes from public and institutional sources. Ranges reflect variability by country, project size and local conditions. Values do not constitute investment recommendations. Main sources: IRENA O&M Benchmark 2025, IEA PVPS Task 12, Fraunhofer ISE, SolarPower Europe.
FAQ
What is solar OPEX?
OPEX (Operational Expenditure) represents the annual operating and maintenance costs of a solar plant: cleaning, monitoring, component replacement, insurance, land lease.
Which countries have the lowest solar OPEX in Europe?
Spain and Portugal show the lowest values in Europe thanks to high irradiation, competitive labor costs and a mature market.
How is solar OPEX evolving in Europe?
The trend is generally downward thanks to economies of scale, technological improvement and increased competition. The decline is more pronounced in the utility-scale segment.
What are the data sources?
Data comes from IRENA O&M Benchmark 2025, IEA PVPS Task 12, Fraunhofer ISE, SolarPower Europe. All sources are public and verifiable.
How often is the data updated?
Data is updated annually (Q1) from institutional source publications.