The installed capacity of solar photovoltaic systems in Hungary has increased by 1,632 MW in 2023. This is more than one and a half times more compared to the increase registered in the previous record year, 2022. The new annual peak brought total solar capacity to over 5,600 MW. Capacity previously expected to be available by 2030, could therefore be reached in 2024.
According to preliminary data from the transmission system operator MAVIR, 5,649 MW of solar capacity had been connected to the grid in Hungary by the beginning of this year. The 3,332 MW of industrial solar capacity will be complemented by 2,317 MW of domestic solar capacity. As the Energy Ministry’s statement highlights, the 2023 increase will not only exceed any previous year but will also represent more new capacity than was installed by 2020 (1,415 megawatts).
Last year’s expansion came from almost half of the new capacity coming online from industrial, and half from residential-scale plants.
Solar farms over 50 kilowatts reached peak capacity last summer, generating more than 2,731 megawatts daily at noon during August. Last year, the number of small household-scale solar installations topped a quarter of a million. This is a quarter more than the previous estimate for 2030. Based on census data, more than a quarter of residential properties of 100 square meters or more built after 2010 have solar panels.
