Solar power in Austria



As of the end of 2022, solar power in Austria amounted to nearly 3.8 gigawatt (GW) of cumulative photovoltaic (PV) capacity, with the energy source producing 4.2% of the nation's electricity.

In addition to supporting PV installations through permitting simplification and cash grants, the Austrian government is targeting 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030.

In 2009, the site of Zwentendorf power station became Austria's largest solar power station with an investment of 1.2 million Euro, with the addition of 1,000 photovoltaic panels. Zwentendorf was intended to be Austria's first nuclear power plant, but after a vote in 1978 prohibiting nuclear power in Austria, was never completed. In September, 2011, Austria's largest solar power station, 2 MW, was under construction in the Niedere Tauern mountain range.

Austria has also a large capacity of solar heating at its disposal. With more than 3,500 MWthermal the country ranks second in the EU, only behind much larger Germany.

Targets
Austria aims to achieve a 100% renewable electricity production by 2030 with 1,000,000 homes having solar panels fitted by that date. 11 TWh of extra photovoltaics will be needed above 2021 levels.