Photovoltaics: record year for investment and installed capacity in 2025

According to data from the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (HELAPCO), photovoltaics accounted for 84.2% of total newly installed renewable energy capacity in 2025.

New grid-connected photovoltaic capacity added to the electricity system amounted to 1,840 MWp, bringing the country’s total installed capacity to 11,538 MWp by the end of the year.

In addition, at least 800 MW of additional photovoltaic plants were constructed but were not connected to the grid within 2025 and are expected to become operational in 2026. Although these projects are not included in the year’s installed capacity figures, the investments and jobs they generated have been included in the overall market assessment.

Decline in residential self-consumption systems

Of the total new grid-connected photovoltaic capacity in 2025, 14.4% concerned self-consumption systems.

However, this segment recorded a significant decline compared to 2024, returning to 2023 levels. The development is mainly attributed to the completion of the “Photovoltaics on Rooftops” subsidy programme, which had previously significantly boosted household demand. During 2025, a total of 5,180 residential photovoltaic systems were connected to the grid, of which 2,795 included battery storage systems, accounting for 49.2% of the total.

First place in electricity generation from renewables

A milestone for the sector was the fact that photovoltaics generated more electricity than wind farms for the first time, ranking first among all renewable energy technologies in Greece. This development reflects the rapid expansion of photovoltaics in recent years and the gradual transformation of the country’s energy mix.

Investments of €1.65 billion and 26,600 jobs

The investment footprint of the sector remained particularly strong. According to HELAPCO, approximately €1.65 billion was invested in new photovoltaic projects in Greece in 2025 alone. This growth activity supported a total of 26,600 full-time equivalent jobs across the sector’s value chain.

Although the residential and small commercial segment recorded a loss of around 2,000 jobs due to declining demand, these losses were offset by activity in large-scale photovoltaic projects and the first significant deployment of energy storage systems.

Significant environmental benefits

The contribution of photovoltaics to Greece’s climate targets was also evident in 2025, as their operation prevented the emission of approximately 6.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This amount is equivalent to the annual emissions of around 5.4 million new internal combustion engine vehicles driving an average of 10,000 kilometres per year.

According to the association’s estimates, the environmental benefit is also equivalent to planting 163 million conifer trees or nearly 100 million deciduous trees in urban areas and allowing them to grow for a period of ten years.

The data confirm that photovoltaics are evolving into a key pillar of Greece’s energy transition, combining strong investment activity, job creation, and significant environmental benefits.