Finland s outdoor solar power supply system

In addition to wind power, we also need plenty of solar energy, for which Finland has excellent prospects. Solar power is particularly well suited as a counterpart to wind power. These two emission-free energy sources complement each other: solar energy is available in summer and during the day, while the highest winds occur on average in winter.

In Finland, a number of hybrid projects are in the pipeline, combining wind, solar and also energy storage. These solutions will balance our energy system. On a global scale, solar power is one of the fastest growing forms of energy generation – its size and importance in the world's energy mix is huge, larger than wind power.

LUT has modeled an emission-free energy system and demonstrated that the share of solar energy in Finnish energy production should rise to 10 percent by 2050. That would mean a leap from the current 635 megawatts to 35 000. The rooftop potential of all Finnish buildings (residential, administrative, industrial) is about 34 000 megawatts.

Contrary to popular belief, Finland's solar energy potential doesn't fall short of that of Central Europe. In the summer, the long days and nearly round-the-clock sunlight compensate for the dark winters. This article's Finnish version was first published in February 2019 and has been updated in June 2023.

LUT University has investigated how the profitability of solar electricity could be improved in different types of buildings in Finland. Researchers have debunked myths related to the orientation and dimensioning of solar photovoltaic systems and sales of surplus electricity.

As technology develops, industrial-scale solar power production is also becoming more common in Finland. Finland is undergoing a major energy transition. Moving away from imported fossil fuels and towards local, clean energy production will create the basis for new industrial investment.