EUPD Research has published the third edition of its flagship study, market leadership study Europe ©: Last Mile Distributed Solar and Energy Storage, which offers a data -held representation of Europe’s evolving residential PV and storage landscape. The report records market dynamics, the performance of leading installers and emerging trends that form the future of the sector.
The European residential solar market remains very fragmented, with more than 24,000 installers who are active on the continent, most limited to national or regional markets. Yet a small group of companies is rising above the crowd. According to the analysis of EUPD, 1-comma5 °, Enpal and E.on Solar have emerged as Europe’s best residential solar installers based on a combination of factors, including installed capacity, sector coupling options (such as battery storage, EV-charging and HEMS), customer racing, and off-pteresies. The study also takes into account years of market experience, financial health, geographical presence, degree of vertical integration and compliance with environmental, social and governance (ESG) engagements.
“As the European residential solar market evolves, it is important to look beyond growth alone,” said Markus AW Hoehner, CEO and founder of EUPD Research. “Our study regards several market indicators to identify companies that get real traction and shape the competitive landscape.”
1Comma5 °, Enpal and E.on Solar stand out for their scale, digital platforms and strategic positioning. 1Comma5 °, founded in 2021, operates around 80 locations worldwide as a one-stop shop for integrated energy solutions. Enpal, Germany’s first renewable energy burns that were founded in 2017 offers a holistic ecosystem for renewable energy
With an AI-based energy trader. E.on Solar uses its extensive expertise in the field of utilities and Pan-European range to offer scalable solutions for residential solar energy.
Statements from the leading installers of Europe provide insight into the strategic thinking behind their market success.
Philipp Schröder, CEO & Co-founder of 1-Comma5 °, Says: “While Conventional Solar Markets in Europe Are Shrinking and the German Economy is in a Deepening Downturn, 1-Komma5 ° Is Growing Against All Odds. 85% per connected household, Circumventing Conventional Utilities by Accessing the Electricity Spot Market Directly, Heartbeat AI also balances, so that the schedule is stabilized.
“We have successfully confirmed our market leadership in Europe,” says Mario Kohle, founder and CEO of Enpal. “Enpal is the perfect partner for households who introduce the decentralized Energy Future. Our all-in-one solution and our AI-based energy manager, Enpal.one+, make Enpal unique on the market. Our AI ensures that customers buy electricity when market prices are particularly low in Europe.”
Between 2020 and 2024, Europe (EU-27 Plus VK, Switzerland and Norway) installed 236 GWDC of new solar PV capacity. In 2024 alone, 69 GWDC was added. Residential systems under 20 kW have played a key role that contribute 25 GWDC in 2023, around 38% of the total new capacity that year.
In 2024, however, the residential solar market had a correction. Stabilizing electricity prices, persistently high interest rates and phased support schedules in different countries have led to a decrease of the year on an annual basis of 20% in new installations. Although this meant a delay of previous highlights, EUPD expects that the market will return to moderate growth in the coming years, because underlying drivers will remain strong.
The economic reason for solar energy remains compelling in many countries. EUPD’s Residential Market Atturity Index shows that markets such as Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic and Belgium offer some of the highest ROI of the residential solar sun in Europe. These rankings are based on factors such as electricity rates, legal costs of solar electricity (LCOE) and support mechanisms.
At the same time, installers are increasingly distinguish themselves through sector coupling and offer bundled solutions with PV systems, battery storage, EV -chargers, home energy management and heat pumps. According to recent EUPD research data, 69% of the installers in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) now offer Hems, which reflects the growing consumer demand for energy autonomy and tax optimization.
Despite solid basic principles, 2024 was a financially difficult year for many installation companies. A global oversupply of solar modules led to steep price decreases. Although this benefited consumers, it makes the margins of the installer and devalued inventory. Reduced activity levels in different markets added further pressure, so that some companies lead to them, diversifying or leaving pivot.
Consolidation on the European market is limited so far, but is expected to be tackled as the competition intensifies and only the most resilient business models are scalable. With module prices that will probably fall further, companies must continue to refine activities, adjusting business models and invest in smart service offers to maintain competitiveness.
In today’s increasingly competing and complex residential solar landscape, knowing which companies really lead the market, essential. The Market Leadership Study Europe delivers exactly that: clear, clear, data -supported insights into the best -performing installers who shape the future of distributed energy in Europe. Designed as a strategic source for investors, technology suppliers, wholesalers and industrial decision makers, emphasizes the report where the momentum is building, which gains ground and how business models evolve. For anyone who wants to be at the forefront of the residential solar and storage space, this study is a must-have guide for the most influential players in the market.
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