46 percent more solar energy production in 2022

Men installing solar panels on the roof of a house.
© CBS
In 2022, energy production from solar panels rose by 46 percent on the previous year. This was mainly due to the use of new solar panels. Energy production from residential solar panels increased slightly more than production from panels on commercial buildings last year. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

The share of solare energy (electricity and heat) in total energy consumption grew as a result: from 2.1 percent in 2021 to 3.3 percent in 2022. Aside from biomass and wind energy, solar energy makes the largest contribution to renewable energy.

Largest contribution made by businesses, strongest growth in residential
In 2022, solar generation increased up to 16.8 billion kilowatt hours (kWh). Nearly 60 percent of this production came from solar panels on commercial buildings. The remainder was generated by residential solar panels. Since 2019, the installed solar capacity on business premises has been larger than the residential capacity, mainly on account of new large solar parks. In 2022, residential solar energy production did rise slightly faster (+49 percent) than production by businesses (+45 percent).

Solar energy production
PeriodenBusiness (billion kWh)Residential (billion kWh)
20192.82.6
20204.93.7
2021 **6.94.6
2022 *9.96.9
* Provisional figures ** Revised provisional figures

Solar panel capacity up in all municipalities

In 2022, total installed solar panel capacity across the country rose by 30 percent on average relative to 2021. Dronten saw the largest increase, 161 megawatts (MW), due to the commissioning of the largest solar park in the Netherlands. Dronten is followed by Borger-Odoorn and Hoogeveen with more than 100 MW. The strongest increase in residential solar capacity was recorded in Utrecht, Rotterdam and Tilburg.

Changes in installed solar capacity1), 2022 relative to 2021
 Total ( MW)Business ( MW)Residential ( MW)
Dronten160.5154.65.87
Borger-Odoorn121.8117.14.63
Hoogeveen106.399.86.54
Rotterdam86.563.523.02
Tilburg77.052.224.77
Terneuzen71.963.68.33
Coevorden69.064.14.93
Lelystad68.060.57.48
Hollands Kroon64.357.37.05
Noordenveld56.650.56.04
Venlo54.940.214.74
Hardenberg45.135.79.38
Lochem42.337.34.93
Amsterdam38.624.614.02
Deventer38.228.79.49
Stadskanaal35.430.94.45
Neder-Betuwe33.328.35.03
Amersfoort32.816.716.07
Land van Cuijk31.614.517.1
Arnhem31.019.811.21
's-Hertogenbosch30.711.719.04
Utrecht30.52.927.61
Meierijstad29.717.112.52
Almere29.28.720.53
Westland28.211.416.83
Oss27.913.414.49
Apeldoorn27.48.818.59
Ede26.414.012.42
Eindhoven26.45.820.63
Enschede26.210.715.53
Horst aan de Maas26.117.48.69
Emmen25.89.716.11
's-Gravenhage25.86.619.12
Vlissingen25.721.54.17
Groningen24.36.717.66
Lansingerland23.813.89.98
Midden-Groningen23.513.99.56
Peel en Maas23.415.08.33
Waalwijk23.216.07.24
Breda23.27.615.62
Hoeksche Waard23.28.614.59
Barneveld22.714.68.11
Haarlemmermeer22.56.016.45
Wijchen22.216.55.71
Súdwest-Fryslân21.59.911.56
Zaanstad21.49.312.08
Opsterland21.317.24.1
Laarbeek20.816.54.39
Alphen aan den Rijn20.48.112.33
Sittard-Geleen19.46.612.78
West Betuwe19.310.39.0
Het Hogeland19.312.76.54
Dijk en Waard19.37.112.13
Wijk bij Duurstede19.114.84.34
Westerkwartier19.07.012.0
Dordrecht18.68.89.83
Altena18.49.68.83
Nijmegen17.87.310.43
Venray17.611.26.38
Hengelo16.55.311.27
Vijfheerenlanden16.46.410.01
Olst-Wijhe16.414.32.03
Berkelland16.29.86.45
Heusden16.28.08.16
Leeuwarden15.64.910.72
Eemsdelta15.68.57.08
Helmond15.54.810.65
Overbetuwe15.38.46.89
Schagen15.29.06.15
Moerdijk15.09.06.06
Maastricht14.95.89.07
Hof van Twente14.89.25.66
Alkmaar14.66.48.28
Maashorst14.65.09.62
Zoetermeer14.61.313.32
Heerenveen14.68.06.6
Almelo14.44.410.06
Roosendaal13.75.28.51
Dinkelland13.78.84.9
Goeree-Overflakkee13.54.78.85
Rijssen-Holten13.47.45.94
Leudal12.96.66.29
Barendrecht12.95.96.99
De Fryske Marren12.94.48.47
Raalte12.88.04.79
Weert12.75.77.03
Lingewaard12.64.58.19
Krimpenerwaard12.53.59.04
Doetinchem12.44.57.91
Noardeast-Fryslân12.34.77.69
Borsele12.28.14.1
Harderwijk12.27.74.53
Veendam12.28.04.18
Zaltbommel12.18.14.04
Gemert-Bakel12.07.14.95
Smallingerland12.04.67.47
Zwolle12.00.211.79
Molenlanden11.96.05.81
Assen11.83.58.32
Deurne11.85.36.45
Bernheze11.85.66.24
Roermond11.63.48.2
Nissewaard11.61.410.15
Purmerend11.53.87.78
Medemblik11.44.96.48
Zwijndrecht11.36.54.84
Zevenaar11.25.75.54
Stichtse Vecht11.13.57.58
Veldhoven11.03.17.85
Oldambt11.04.36.61
Oosterhout10.83.17.7
Hoorn10.74.46.37
Etten-Leur10.74.76.01
Putten10.77.53.18
Tubbergen10.77.03.72
Noordoostpolder10.72.87.88
Tiel10.65.55.16
Kampen10.54.36.25
Drimmelen10.46.24.17
Nieuwegein10.44.55.9
Montferland10.33.76.62
Buren10.35.44.87
Nijkerk10.35.25.03
Loon op Zand10.26.04.23
Oude IJsselstreek10.23.17.06
Haarlem10.23.56.66
Boxtel10.26.23.92
Weststellingwerf10.26.23.99
Bergen op Zoom10.12.97.27
Veenendaal10.13.26.94
Utrechtse Heuvelrug10.12.67.43
Bronckhorst10.03.76.37
Oost Gelre10.05.04.98
Alblasserdam10.07.72.25
Ridderkerk9.95.14.88
Waadhoeke9.82.96.94
Houten9.72.67.1
Beekdaelen9.73.46.29
Tynaarlo9.62.57.03
Hellendoorn9.53.85.72
Aalten9.55.34.18
Zeist9.42.17.31
Pijnacker-Nootdorp9.41.67.73
Schouwen-Duiveland9.32.46.86
Wierden9.33.95.34
Pekela9.27.02.19
Heerlen9.12.07.17
Zuidplas9.02.56.58
Haaksbergen9.04.64.39
Best8.94.04.88
Woerden8.81.96.92
Sint-Michielsgestel8.84.54.24
De Ronde Venen8.73.35.35
Halderberge8.63.74.94
Twenterand8.62.95.62
Oldenzaal8.53.45.1
Velsen8.54.24.27
Ermelo8.56.12.38
Noordwijk8.54.24.27
Midden-Drenthe8.33.44.89
Steenwijkerland8.32.55.84
Leusden8.23.34.93
Heeze-Leende8.24.33.88
Den Helder8.22.95.28
Echt-Susteren8.11.76.37
Brummen8.05.22.79
Katwijk7.82.55.37
Bodegraven-Reeuwijk7.82.45.36
Delft7.82.45.4
Hulst7.73.34.43
Voorst7.74.43.34
Oisterwijk7.72.94.76
Gouda7.71.95.81
Someren7.73.73.97
Capelle aan den IJssel7.63.14.5
Middelburg7.41.45.98
Zeewolde7.44.72.67
Midden-Delfland7.45.02.41
West Maas en Waal7.44.13.28
De Wolden7.34.03.32
Soest7.31.55.78
Maasdriel7.32.25.08
Aalsmeer7.34.03.32
Westerwolde7.33.53.79
Hilvarenbeek7.34.72.59
Hilversum7.21.35.95
Koggenland7.23.63.59
Valkenswaard7.22.74.52
Leiden7.22.84.38
Amstelveen7.12.15.07
Woensdrecht7.03.33.61
Drechterland7.03.53.42
Sluis6.93.43.47
Bladel6.93.53.32
Tholen6.82.24.6
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht6.72.04.67
Hellevoetsluis6.61.15.51
Cranendonck6.52.34.27
Winterswijk6.43.03.38
Steenbergen6.42.34.05
Teylingen6.42.34.09
Edam-Volendam6.31.74.62
Geldrop-Mierlo6.31.25.13
De Bilt6.31.64.74
Kerkrade6.21.34.91
Culemborg6.23.13.15
Tytsjerksteradiel6.01.24.88
Berg en Dal6.01.74.31
Eijsden-Margraten6.01.74.31
Aa en Hunze6.01.64.43
Gooise Meren6.01.54.5
Zwartewaterland6.02.73.28
Kaag en Braassem6.02.53.43
Albrandswaard5.91.14.79
Nuenen, Gerwen en Nederwetten5.92.03.86
Landgraaf5.90.95.03
Rucphen5.92.23.67
Achtkarspelen5.83.22.6
Losser5.81.24.55
Maasgouw5.71.14.64
Dalfsen5.71.44.3
Geertruidenberg5.73.32.45
Reimerswaal5.72.03.64
Epe5.61.64.05
Gorinchem5.61.44.14
Goes5.60.55.0
Beuningen5.51.63.97
Vlaardingen5.50.84.7
Oirschot5.52.82.74
Zundert5.52.33.17
Asten5.52.33.14
Duiven5.52.23.32
Goirle5.52.23.27
Borne5.51.04.48
Gilze en Rijen5.42.23.26
Ooststellingwerf5.41.63.8
Meppel5.41.83.59
Nieuwkoop5.32.03.32
Roerdalen5.21.24.01
IJsselstein5.20.94.3
Rheden5.20.84.38
Vught5.21.63.61
Hardinxveld-Giessendam5.23.02.22
Bunschoten5.22.03.24
Dongen5.21.53.73
Schiedam5.20.84.43
Son en Breugel5.12.03.08
Uithoorn5.02.02.98
Bergen (NH.)5.01.63.47
Leidschendam-Voorburg5.00.74.28
Rijswijk5.00.84.15
Bergeijk4.92.02.9
Lisse4.92.72.25
Waddinxveen4.81.03.82
Zutphen4.80.54.36
Stein4.81.03.79
Rhenen4.71.73.09
Wageningen4.71.33.4
Beverwijk4.72.02.76
Alphen-Chaam4.73.11.57
Lopik4.62.52.16
Veere4.61.23.45
Heerde4.62.12.44
Huizen4.60.73.87
Nunspeet4.51.72.82
Ommen4.52.12.43
Woudenberg4.52.02.53
Westerveld4.41.62.83
Heemskerk4.41.52.91
Eersel4.41.13.22
Castricum4.40.63.81
Urk4.31.23.13
Baarle-Nassau4.23.30.87
Meerssen4.21.32.81
Boekel4.12.02.13
Renkum4.11.22.93
Gennep4.11.22.93
Dantumadiel4.10.83.22
Oldebroek4.01.42.61
Papendrecht4.00.33.73
Elburg4.01.22.84
Krimpen aan den IJssel3.90.63.35
Westvoorne3.91.02.94
Reusel-De Mierden3.91.52.44
Maassluis3.90.73.19
Opmeer3.82.41.45
Staphorst3.71.52.25
Brielle3.70.92.76
Wassenaar3.71.62.05
Bunnik3.61.42.18
Nederweert3.6-0.23.82
Beek3.61.02.57
Stede Broec3.60.62.97
Waalre3.50.53.01
Enkhuizen3.52.01.48
Oegstgeest3.41.42.06
Heiloo3.40.72.66
Baarn3.31.02.33
Druten3.30.62.7
Beesel3.30.72.54
Wijdemeren3.20.62.64
Heumen3.20.72.5
Wormerland3.21.61.58
Oudewater3.21.61.58
Brunssum3.20.52.63
Valkenburg aan de Geul3.10.92.29
Bergen (L.)3.11.31.81
Hillegom3.11.12.03
Voorschoten3.00.42.63
Noord-Beveland3.01.31.63
Montfoort2.90.82.1
Voerendaal2.90.82.06
Gulpen-Wittem2.80.81.97
Texel2.61.61.04
Heemstede2.60.32.35
Uitgeest2.50.81.74
Weesp2.41.11.32
Diemen2.40.61.84
Sliedrecht2.40.32.07
Harlingen2.30.32.07
Doesburg2.31.30.96
Bloemendaal2.20.51.76
Leiderdorp2.10.81.31
Renswoude2.00.91.17
Scherpenzeel2.00.61.4
Simpelveld1.90.81.17
Waterland1.90.31.59
Westervoort1.80.01.8
Blaricum1.80.51.31
Mook en Middelaar1.80.41.39
Hattem1.80.31.48
Kapelle1.8-0.52.23
Eemnes1.70.41.3
Landsmeer1.50.50.96
Ouder-Amstel1.40.21.26
Zoeterwoude1.30.80.55
Oostzaan1.20.30.93
Laren1.20.30.94
Vaals1.00.10.86
Ameland1.00.40.53
Zandvoort0.90.10.79
Vlieland0.80.60.17
Terschelling0.70.60.14
Schiermonnikoog0.30.20.12
Rozendaal0.30.10.22
1) In 2022, a municipal reorganisation took place. This map is based on the organisation as at 1 January 2022. Figures on solar energy capacity in dissolved municipalities from 2021 have been added together to fit into the new organisation.

Dutch solar energy production among European top five

The Netherlands has been among the top five of countries in Europe with the highest solar power production since 2022. Production has grown strongly compared to other European countries. Since 2019, Dutch solar power production has more than tripled. Although Poland and Hungary saw the strongest increase, in 2019 their production was substantially lower than in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands’ solar production stood at around 5.3 kWh in 2019; the same level as in Belgium. In 2022, the production level was equal to France's at 16.8 kWh, notwithstanding the fact that the Netherlands is much smaller in area and population size than most major solar power producers. Of all European countries, the Netherlands had the highest installed solar capacity per capita (1,044 W in 2022).

Top ten solar-producing countries in Europe
Land2022 (energy production (bn kWh))2021 (energy production (bn kWh))2020 (energy production (bn kWh))2019 (energy production (bn kWh))
Germany61.351.250.144.9
Spain31.925.619.714.3
Italy27.625.125.624.3
France19.014.813.411.0
Netherlands17.711.58.85.3
Turkey15.013.411.39.4
Poland8.03.82.00.7
Greece7.05.14.44.0
Belgium6.85.64.93.5
Hungary4.63.82.41.4
Source: CBS, Eurostat