The rapid expansion of Zonne-PV in Europe (EU-27 + UK, Switzerland and Norway) plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and accelerating energy transition. In 2024, Europe added more than 69 GW new solar capacity, so that in the same year an estimated 82 TWH of clean electricity generated through its annually installed PV fleet. This alone could compensate for more than 32.8 million tons of CO₂, based on an average schedule emission factor of 0.4 kg CO₂ per kWh.
Looking ahead, with ~ 74 GW projected to annual new installations for 2025 and nearly 89 GW in 2029, the annual carbon saving by only the new PV installations will rise to 35.4 million in 2025 and 42.2 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2029 respectively. ((C&I) Segment (from 20 kW to 5 MW projects defined by EUPD Research Global Energy Transition Get-Matrix ©), in 2024; This figure will be estimated to reach around 46% by the end of the year 2029.
EUPD research projects that will expand the European C&I solar segment from 33 GW annual installations in 2025 to more than 40 GW in 2029 in 2029, which leads to an aggregated new C&I installation of 185 GW in the next five years. By the end of 2029 alone, it is expected that this increase in capacity will prevent around 88 million tons of CO₂ emissions that save about 204 million barrels of oil in one year (taking into account an average CO₂ emission of around 432 kg per barrel of oil). These figures underline the increasing significance of C&I Solar, not only as a pillar of energy breach, but as a fundamental element in Europe’s wider climate strategy and transition to a net-nul economy.
Strategic Sweet Spot
The C&I segment occupies a separate strategic position on the European markets. With access to larger roofs and favorable loading profiles, C&I systems benefit from efficient self-consumption, while avoiding conflicts in land use and allowing obstacles that are usually associated with projects on utility scale. According to data from EUPD Research Global Energy Transition Get-Matrix ©Multiple European states implement targeted measures to speed up the use of C&I PV in the coming years. This positions the segment on a strategic Sweet Spot, which offers faster development time lines, energy consumption on site and a reduced dependence on the grid.
This structural benefit is further strengthened by current market dynamics. According to that of the EUPD research PV Price & Inventory Tracker ©The average system prices in the range of 30-100 kW-representative for typical medium-sized commercial systems throughout Europe-downstairs with 20% in Q2 2025 compared to the previous quarter. This important drop emphasizes the improving economy of C&I installations throughout Europe.
Quantify the advantage
To evaluate this economic benefit, EUPD study carried out a Pan-European analysis of the level of electricity (LCOE) for C&I systems, based on the latest Capex and OPEX projections. By comparing LCO values with prevailing rates for electricity rates – including taxes and levies – EUPD has derived an average net benefit of $ 0.15/kWh for C&I Solar throughout Europe. This figure illustrates a strong and growing economic case for solar PV in the commercial and industrial space – supported by both favorable cost trends and policy frameworks.
Although the average net benefit of C&I Zonne -Zonne energy throughout Europe supports continuous investments, the attractiveness of the market throughout the region varies considerably. For example, the average net benefit in the top 10 European C&I markets reaches around $ 0.22/kWh, while the lower 10 markets only offer $ 0.08/kWh. This inequality underlines the need for a more nuanced market level, one that goes beyond the total PV installation volume to separately assess the value and viability of each segment. In particular, the evaluation of C&I markets based on segment-specific implementation levels and feasible return on investments would include the two vital factors for data-based and informed decision-making.
Trust and brands that deliver
While C&I markets continue to diversify, quantitative indicators such as LCOE are increasingly supplemented with qualitative factors, including the reliability and positioning of solution providers. The C&I market is fundamentally driven by trust. Installers, EPCs and commercial customers not only require technical performance, but also responsive service, transparent ESG practices and financial reliability. To record this complex dynamics, EUPD research has introduced the Leadership & Sustainability Rating (BLSR) brand © ️ – an extensive evaluation about four pillars:
In contrast to conventional Tier 1 lists or volumes-based rankings, the BLSR ️ will measure deeper of brand reputation, operational resilience and viability in the long term.
Assessment of market players
In EUPD Research’s BLSR ️ Top -performing brands are evaluated on a broad spectrum of excellence, with reviews ranging from B to AAA, which increases levels of market leadership, sustainability, innovation and financial strength. The “A” rating reflects strong and reliable general performance, while higher reviews such as “AA” and “AAA” indicate excellent and leading options on all assessments of the assessment. A “+” can be added as recognition of ESG transparency in particular. In particular, only manufacturers who have demonstrated a clear relevance among end customers and market intermediaries – and who meet the minimum transparency standards through the disclosure of important financial data – are eligible for inclusion in the BLSR © I in the first place.
In the PV category, six manufacturers have achieved the “AA+” rating, including Jinko Solar, Ja Solar, Canadian Solar and Longi Solar,, which demonstrates strong brand perception, innovation and solid financial foundations; Such as Henning Schulze, President Europe at Ja Solar, emphasizes: ‘We find this approach from EUPD research to assess PV module suppliers very interesting from different angles. Our reputation in the market based on the experiences of customers, financial stability that shows a cautious approach, even in the current difficult market environment, our strength on R&D and products and our dedication to ESG materialized by our ESG strategy ‘Green to green – green to grow – green to great’. And of course we are very happy that we have achieved a very good score, which we still want to increase in the future. “
Similarly, six brands in the inverter segment also reached the “AA+” level, including Solax Power, Sungrow and Goodwe, which reflects their robust performance in the European C&I market. Ramon Zheng, general manager of abroad, Solax Power, emphasizes the growing importance of credible recognition by stating that: ‘Solax Power is honored to receive the prestigious AA+ assessment for both inverters and storage of EUPD research. Being recognized among the providers of the best solar solutions in Europe is an enormous validation of our dedication to quality, innovation and sustainability. We remain deeply dedicated to stimulating the energy transition forward, so that reliable and environmentally friendly energy solutions are supplied for a brighter, greener future. “
In the storage category, five manufacturers achieved the “AA+” rating, including global leaders such as BYD, Pylontech and Tesla. These manufacturers received strong BLSR © ratings within the European storage segment, which underlined their current relevance and stable market presence. (See the full alphabetical list here).
Need for clear market signals
While the European C&I -Zonne market continues to grow, the landscape for solution providers remains very fluent. Current consolidation trends, global exposure to supply chain and the increasing geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties-including renewed tariff measures and shifting frameworks in the US, industrial consolidation policy in China and carbon-related compliance mechanisms that add new layers of the EU. For stakeholders such as investors, EPCs, banks and company buyers, this increases the challenge of evaluating the reliability of suppliers, strategic coordination and viability in the long term. In this context, tools such as the BLSR © ️ can support better -informed decision -making, as a supplement to established criteria such as costs, performance and delivery.
Authors: Mark AW Hoehner and Ali Arfa
Markus AW Hoehner is the founder, president and chief Executive Officer van Hoeper Research & Consulting Group and EUPD Research. He has been active in research and advice at the highest level for more than three decades, aimed at Cleantech, renewable energy and sustainable management. He can be reached at m.hoehner@eupd-research.com.
Ali Arfa is a senior data manager at EUPD Research. He graduated from the University of Bonn and with a background in European and North American politics. His expertise includes market research, policy development and analysis of stakeholders. His specific focus is on solar energy, energy storage and strategic consultation. He can be reached at a.arfa@eupd-research.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author, and do not necessarily reflect it by PV -Magazine.
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