Belgium’s Solar Capacity Soars with 1.8 GW Additions in 2023

Belgium has witnessed a remarkable surge in solar energy adoption, with new figures from the Belgian association Energie Commune (formerly known as APERe) revealing that approximately 1.8 GW of new PV systems were installed in the country last year. This significant addition brings Belgium’s cumulative installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity to over 10 GW as of December 2023.

The latest data indicates a substantial growth trajectory for solar energy in Belgium over recent years, with installations totaling 1,060 MW in 2022, 850 MW in 2021, 1,010 MW in 2020, 544 MW in 2019, and 367 MW in 2018.

Breaking down the installations by region, around 1.4 GW of the newly deployed capacity in 2023 was concentrated in the Dutch-speaking macro-region of Flanders, highlighting the region’s strong commitment to solar energy adoption. In the French-speaking region of Wallonia, approximately 426 MW of new PV capacity was installed, while the metropolitan region of Brussels added another 11 MW.

It’s noteworthy that each of Belgium’s three macro-regions operates under its own regulatory framework for solar and renewable energy, contributing to diverse approaches and strategies in fostering solar energy development.

Energie Commune emphasized that the reported statistics are based on provisional data, suggesting that an additional 200 MW of PV capacity may still be unaccounted for, potentially indicating even higher growth in solar installations for the preceding year.

The association attributed the surge in solar investments to the impact of rising energy and electricity prices across Europe, which motivated individuals and businesses to explore solar energy solutions. Additionally, the temporary reduction in the VAT rate to 6% for the purchase of PV installations installed on residential buildings less than 10 years old provided further incentive for adoption.

Belgium’s substantial growth in solar capacity underscores the nation’s commitment to renewable energy transition and underscores the vital role of solar energy in achieving sustainable and resilient energy systems for the future.