Solar panels on every rooftop? Photovoltaics boom in Poland and the role of the European Union funds

This study investigates the rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) investments in Poland from 2015 to 2024, comparing the development of the PV market with other renewable energy technologies. Drawing on secondary data from the Energy Regulatory Office, Statistics Poland, and Eurostat, alongside primary research, the analysis identifies key drivers of this growth. Primary data include a consumer and prosumer survey conducted in 2021 and 2024, and annual performance observations of a 4.4 kW PV micro-installation in central Poland to estimate return on investment (ROI). Findings confirm that the PV sector is the fastest-growing segment of Poland's renewable energy market, primarily driven by government subsidies co-funded by the European Union. Rising energy prices and the financial viability of PV micro-installations are primary motivators for adoption. Additionally, survey respondents highlighted environmental quality improvements and the welfare of future generations as significant factors. This study underscores the interplay of economic, policy, and societal drivers in shaping Poland's PV market boom. • Supported by EU funding PV micro-installations rose from 55,127 (344 MW) in 2018 to 1,403,330 (11,318 MW) in 2023. • The Polish photovoltaics market recorded a turnover of EUR 4.8 billion in 2023. • Return on investment for a photovoltaic micro-installation (4.40 kW) in central Poland is ∼4 years. • Surveyed prosumers primarily valued PV micro-installations for their potential to reduce energy costs. • Environmental considerations and the well-being of future generations motivate PV adoption.