International Markets
Updated: March 2026
Europe, global trends and opportunities
1 Solar Around the World
2.2 TW
Global installed capacity
end of 2024
600 GW
New capacity in 2024
+33% vs 2023
6.9%
Share in global electricity mix
vs 1% in 2015
$200 Bn
Investments 2024
Source:BNEF
Top 10 installed capacities (end of 2024)
Source:IEA-PVPS Snapshot 2025, SolarPower Europe 2025
2 European markets focus
Germany
European leader
✓ Very active corporate PPA market
✓ Strong rooftop growth
Spain
LCOE Champion
✓ Best EU irradiation
✓ PPA hub for Europe
Italy
Strong recovery
✓ Agrivoltaics in strong growth
✓ High electricity prices = attractive self-consumption
France
Accelerating
✓ Permitting simplification underway
✓ Agrivoltaics regulatory framework
United Kingdom
Merchant market
✓ No subsidies (merchant/CfD)
✓ Highly developed PPA market
Poland
Explosive growth
✓ Coal phase-out = opportunity
✓ Very strong residential segment
Switzerland
Premium market
✓ Federal subsidies (PRU)
✓ Alpine solar under development
✓ Very profitable self-consumption
United Arab Emirates
Global solar hub
✓ Exceptional irradiation (2000+ kWh/m²)
✓ Projets GW-scale (Al Dhafra, Noor Abu Dhabi)
✓ Ambition net-zero 2050
🌍 High-potential markets outside Europe
UAE / Gulf
Lowest LCOE worldwide
Saudi Arabia
Vision 2030, 58 GW target
Morocco
Africa leader, Noor Ouarzazate
Australia
#1 rooftop worldwide per capita
Utility-scale LCOE comparison in Europe (2024)
Sources: IRENA, Lazard, market analyses 2024. LCOE excludes grid connection and land costs.
3 European regulatory framework
🇪🇺 RED III - Renewable Energy Directive
Revised directive (2023) setting binding targets for member states:
42.5% renewables in EU energy mix by 2030
Binding target, raised from 32% to 42.5%
Permitting acceleration
Max delays: 12 months (acceleration zones) to 24 months
Overriding public interest
Renewables presumed of major public interest
🌱 EU Taxonomy
Classification of sustainable economic activities to guide financial flows :
Solar PV = Green activity
Eligible and aligned with the taxonomy
Technical criteria
Substantial contribution + Do No Significant Harm (DNSH)
Financing impact
Easier access to green bonds and green loans
4 Corporate PPA in Europe
Corporate PPA boom
15 GW
PPAs signed in Europe in 2024
+25%
Annual growth
10-15 yrs
Average contract duration
Large corporates (tech, industry, retail) secure their green electricity supply through long-term PPAs, reducing their exposure to market prices and scope 2 emissions.
Top PPA buyers in Europe
Cross-border PPA structures
Physical PPA
Physical electricity delivery, same market zone
Virtual PPA (VPPA)
Financial contract (CfD), no physical delivery
Sleeved PPA
Through an intermediary (utility/aggregator)
5 French market players
🏗️ Developers / IPP
Independent producers developing and operating power plants
Neoen
French leader, present on 5 continents
Akuo Energy
Multi-renewable, storage, agrivoltaics
Voltalia
International, Brazil, Europe, Africa
Tenergie
Rooftop, carports, agrivoltaics
🏢 Major energy companies
Utilities and oil majors diversifying into solar
TotalEnergies
Via SunPower, Total Quadran
EDF Renouvelables
EDF's renewable energy subsidiary
Engie
Via Engie Green, Solairedirect
SNCF Énergie
Self-consumption, corporate PPA
🎯 Segment specialists
Agrivoltaics
Sun'Agri, TSE, Ombrea, REM Tec
Carports & Rooftop
Urbasolar (Axpo), Reden Solar, Apex Energies, Générale du Solaire
Self-consumption / C&I
Helexia, GreenYellow, Solarbox, Eneria
Residential
Otovo, EDF ENR, Engie My Power, Sunology
💰 Investisseurs & Asset Managers
Funds and solar portfolio managers
Banque des Territoires (CDC)
Territorial project financing
Mirova (Natixis)
Renewable energy infrastructure fund
Tikehau Capital
Energy transition private equity
Omnes Capital, Eurazeo, Ardian
Infrastructure funds active in solar