Solar power is playing a growing role in Greece’s energy mix with the country leading the rest of Europe in terms of installed solar capacity as it capitalizes on its sunny, Mediterranean climate.

In the last year, Greece has seen strong investment activity in the sector, while new initiatives in the country are also taking place in both research and manufacturing of solar power-related equipment and technology, including the world’s first manufacturing plant to produce next generation photovoltaic panels.

At the same time, recent changes streamlining permitting procedures on renewable energy sources are paying off.

Energy Minister Kostas Skrekas said that Greece took first place among European countries last year in the participation of solar power in its total energy mix.

In 2022, Greece saw record activity in the market for photovoltaics, according Solar Power Europe in its latest EU outlook. The data showed that photovoltaics contributed some 14.2% of total Greek electricity production in the first 10 months of 2022.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently announced that the first manufacturing plant in the world to produce new-technology flexible and semi-transparent photovoltaic panels will be located at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.