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Development of Photovoltaic Energy in EU Countries as an Alternative to Fossil Fuels

Author

Listed:
  • Radosław Wolniak

    (Department of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

  • Bożena Skotnicka-Zasadzień

    (Department of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of the article is to present the development of photovoltaic energy in the EU countries as one of the alternatives to fossil fuels. The article was prepared on the basis of secondary information and statistical data on the photovoltaic energy market in EU countries, and three hypotheses were formulated: H1—There is a statistically significant correlation between a country’s long-term orientation and its use of photovoltaic energy in European Union countries; H2—There is a statistically significant correlation between GDP per capita and photovoltaic energy use in European Union countries; and H3—There is a relationship between climate and photovoltaic energy use in European Union countries. Correlation coefficients and the Guilford classification were used to analyse the data. Data analysis has shown that photovoltaic energy is the second fastest-growing energy source in the EU, after wind energy. In 2020, 134 TWh of solar energy was produced in the EU countries. Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that there is a statistically significant correlation between the production of photovoltaic energy per person and the level of GDP per capita in the EU countries (Hypothesis 2). Germany and the Netherlands produce the most solar energy. The studies did not confirm Hypothesis 3; however, it can be seen that countries such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have the highest PV energy efficiency compared to average temperature values. A data analysis showed statistically significant correlations between the country’s long-term orientation in the use of photovoltaic energy (Hypothesis 1). In the case of Germany and Belgium, the long-term orientation indicator is very high above 80, while Portugal, Poland and Finland have the lowest indicator, from 30 to 40.

Suggested Citation

  • Radosław Wolniak & Bożena Skotnicka-Zasadzień, 2022. "Development of Photovoltaic Energy in EU Countries as an Alternative to Fossil Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:2:p:662-:d:726872
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Filip Czepło & Piotr F. Borowski, 2024. "Innovation Solution in Photovoltaic Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Daria Moskwa-Bęczkowska & Andrzej Moskwa, 2022. "Renewable Energy Sources in the Processes of Thermal Modernization of Buildings—Selected Aspects in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Michał Mierzwiak & Krzysztof Kroszczyński & Andrzej Araszkiewicz, 2023. "WRF Parameterizations of Short-Term Solar Radiation Forecasts for Cold Fronts in Central and Eastern Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-20, July.
    4. Maren Helen Meyer & Sandra Dullau & Pascal Scholz & Markus Andreas Meyer & Sabine Tischew, 2023. "Bee-Friendly Native Seed Mixtures for the Greening of Solar Parks," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, June.
    5. Anna Mularczyk & Iwona Zdonek & Marian Turek & Stanisław Tokarski, 2022. "Intentions to Use Prosumer Photovoltaic Technology in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, August.
    6. Izabela Jonek-Kowalska & Sara Rupacz, 2023. "The Innovative Nature of Selected Polish Companies in the Energy Sector Compared to the Use of Renewable Energy Sources from a Financial and an Investor’s Perspective," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Anna Rutkowska-Ziarko & Lesław Markowski, 2022. "Accounting and Market Risk Measures of Polish Energy Companies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.
    8. Domenico Curto & Vincenzo Franzitta & Andrea Guercio & Rosario Miceli & Claudio Nevoloso & Francesco Maria Raimondi & Marco Trapanese, 2022. "An Experimental Comparison between an Ironless and a Traditional Permanent Magnet Linear Generator for Wave Energy Conversion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-21, March.
    9. Ahmed Elkhatat & Shaheen A. Al-Muhtaseb, 2023. "Combined “Renewable Energy–Thermal Energy Storage (RE–TES)” Systems: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-46, June.
    10. Tomasz L. Nawrocki & Izabela Jonek-Kowalska, 2023. "Efficiency of Polish Energy Companies in the Context of EU Climate Policy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.
    11. Henrik Zsiborács & András Vincze & István Háber & Gábor Pintér & Nóra Hegedűsné Baranyai, 2023. "Challenges of Establishing Solar Power Stations in Hungary," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, January.
    12. Florian Gaman & Cristina Iacoboaea & Mihaela Aldea & Oana Luca & Adrian Andrei Stănescu & Carmen Mihaela Boteanu, 2022. "Energy Transition in Marginalized Urban Areas: The Case of Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-22, June.
    13. Michał Mierzwiak & Krzysztof Kroszczyński, 2023. "Impact of Domain Nesting on High-Resolution Forecasts of Solar Conditions in Central and Eastern Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-24, June.
    14. Wassila Tercha & Sid Ahmed Tadjer & Fathia Chekired & Laurent Canale, 2024. "Machine Learning-Based Forecasting of Temperature and Solar Irradiance for Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-20, February.
    15. Iwona Zdonek & Anna Mularczyk & Marian Turek & Stanisław Tokarski, 2023. "Perception of Prosumer Photovoltaic Technology in Poland: Usability, Ease of Use, Attitudes, and Purchase Intentions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-18, June.
    16. Anna Marciniuk-Kluska & Mariusz Kluska, 2023. "Forecasting Energy Recovery from Municipal Waste in a Closed-Loop Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-15, March.
    17. Sebastian Pater, 2023. "Increasing Energy Self-Consumption in Residential Photovoltaic Systems with Heat Pumps in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-14, May.
    18. Anatoli Chatzipanagi & Arnulf Jäger-Waldau, 2023. "The European Solar Communication—Will It Pave the Road to Achieve 1 TW of Photovoltaic System Capacity in the European Union by 2030?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-10, April.

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