Solar power

The world is embracing solar power on a scale we have never seen before. Statkraft has developed solar power for the past ten years, and our ambitions are high.

Solar power is a clean, abundant and inexhaustible source of energy. We develop and own solar power assets, and are looking for opportunities to expand both in Europe, South America and India.

Statkraft acquired solar pioneer Solarcentury in November 2020, gaining access to a highly skilled solar developer team across 12 countries and a 6 GW pipeline (gross) in many high-growth markets including Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Greece, Italy and Chile. Combined with our current project portfolio this immediately positions Statkraft as a leading developer in the European solar market.

Towards number one

As the world’s energy demands continue to increase, solar power will play an ever more important role in the global energy system. A sharp drop in the cost of solar technology coupled with an increasing demand for renewable energy means that solar power is now the fastest-growing energy source in the world. Solar capacity has grown 27 times over the last decade and solar energy is expected to outshine other renewables as the world’s largest source of electricity from 2035, according to Statkraft’s Low Emissions Scenario. In 2050, solar power is expected to account for 38 per cent of global power generation.

Green Transition Scenario

According to our Green Transition Scenario, the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) for solar PV in Europe is expected to decline nearly 40%, helping solar power capacity to grow 11 times to 2050.

Location: Emmen, the Netherlands

Photo: Ole Martin Wold

Lange Runde solar energy park will help the Netherlands meet its climate targets. Bart Robrecths and Andrea Boccabella from Statkraft's solar team kept the construction process on track.

Renewables: Bright future for solar energy

The sun is the fastest-growing energy source in the world. If the trend continues, up to 30 per cent of the world's electricity needs can be met by solar energy by 2040. This has renewed Statkraft's interest in investing in solar power.

Location: Banja, Albania

Photo: Statkraft

Floating solar power being tested in the reservoir at Statkraft's hydropower plant in Banja, Albania.

Renewable: First floating solar power plant

Calm reservoirs in sunny southern regions. Why not double the benefits and use the hydropower reservoirs to produce solar power too? For the first time, Statkraft is testing floating solar power at a hydropower plant in Albania.

Location: Dörverden, Germany

Photo: Sabine Grothues

In 2016, Statkraft installed a large set of batteries at the Dörverden run-of-river power plant in Germany.

Renewable: Balancing with batteries

Solar cells generate power when the sun shines, and wind turbines when the wind blows, but not necessarily when the need for energy is greatest. Can batteries store renewable energy "in a can" – for later use?

Photo: Statkraft

Statkraft Solar Solutions focuses on the corporate market, such as here in Pavagada, near Bangalore.

Country series: Renewable energy boom in India

The world's largest democracy is "blessed" with substantial coal reserves. Fortunately, India also has 300 days of sunshine a year. This can be crucial in the battle to reach global climate goals.

Photo: Torbjörn Bergkvist

Virtual power plant: Europe's biggest power plant is 100 per cent renewable

It tolerates shifting weathers, consists of 1,400 independent power producers and has an installed capacity of more than 10,000 MW. What we are talking about? Europe's biggest virtual power plant.

Minister Dara Calleary and Kevin O'Donovan holding up solar panels

Minister Dara Calleary joins Statkraft & Microsoft to turn sod on energy provider’s latest solar project

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD, joined Statkraft and Microsoft on Thursday (18 May) to turn the sod on Harlockstown Solar – Statkraft’s latest solar project in Ireland.

Photo: Ole Martin Wold

Rundedal solar park in the Netherlands

Our solar power ambitions

To meet the increased need for renewable energy solutions we are ramping up as a major solar and wind developer. We have built 1 GW of wind and solar, and have yet another gigawatt under construction. Our ambition is to develop at least 2 GW of solar power by 2025.

Solar power is a highly scalable energy source, as solar systems exist in many different sizes, from small plants on rooftops to utility-scale solar parks. Our strategic focus is on the latter type of development.

How solar plants work

The energy from the sun’s radiations is referred to as solar energy. This energy is received as heat and light and can be converted to various useable forms – the most common being electricity. Photovoltaic cells convert the energy from solar radiations into electricity.

Solar power from Statkraft on Vimeo.

Solar farm projects in Ireland

In Ireland, Statkraft is constructing a number of solar projects:

Clonfad solar farm

Construction of Clonfad solar farm, located in Westmeath, began in 2023. The project will consist of over 300,000 solar panels and will have an approx output of 175 MW.

Monaraha solar farm

Construction of Monaraha solar farm, located in Co Tipperary, began in 2023. The project will consist of over 45,000 solar panels and will have an approx output of 21 MW.