Solar power has become the most affordable and fastest-growing low-carbon technology across Europe, yet its uptake in Slovenia remains slow. This concern was highlighted by environmental organizations Umanotera, Greenpeace Slovenia, Focus, and the Slovenian Photovoltaic Association on European Solar Energy Day. According to their analysis, Slovenia has the potential to generate more than a third of its electricity needs from solar energy.
These groups stressed that solar power is not only one of the most accessible renewable energy sources but also a key driver in the global shift toward cleaner energy. Over the past two decades, the cost of solar installations has dropped by more than 80 percent, and by 2023, solar had become the cheapest source of new electricity generation in over 60 countries worldwide.
Barbara Kvac from the Association for Sustainable Development Focus noted that solar energy is especially accessible to individuals and energy communities, both in terms of cost and administrative procedures. This accessibility enables citizens to take an active role in producing, consuming, and distributing energy, thereby contributing directly to the energy transition.
The first deadline for applications to a public tender supporting investments in community energy self-sufficiency for the period 2025–2027 passed in May. Despite the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy doubling the available funding to 32 million euros in April, only one application was submitted and is currently under review. Two additional application rounds are planned for September and December this year.
Environmental organizations reported that the European Union added 65 gigawatts of new solar capacity last year, enough to power 17 million homes and businesses. Across Europe, approximately 10 million households already use solar energy for heating and hot water.
Slovenia ended the previous year with 1.4 gigawatts of installed solar capacity, over half of which comes from small-scale systems. This represents about eight percent of the country’s total electricity production. Although the country saw a record expansion of 412 megawatts in 2023, growth has since slowed. Experts estimate that Slovenia could meet more than a third of its electricity demand through solar power, but this would require prioritizing decentralized, community-based systems and actively involving citizens.
The steep decline in investment costs over the past twenty years has made solar energy one of the most affordable sources available today. However, despite Slovenia’s ample sunlight, political measures are needed to ensure that a wider population can take advantage of this resource.
Aleksander Mervar, CEO of Slovenian electricity transmission system operator ELES, recently identified the Podravina region as the most promising area for large-scale solar installations, with a potential capacity exceeding 250 megawatts. Other regions such as Posavje could also accommodate up to 250 megawatts, while Pomurje and Central Slovenia each have the capacity for about 200 megawatts.