UK and Germany Spearhead March Solar Surge Amid Mediterranean Cloud Cover

In March, Northern Europe outperformed the Mediterranean in solar energy production. Analysis using the Solcast API reveals that unusually dry conditions led to record - breaking solar irradiance and generation in the UK and Germany. A westward shift of the Azores High prevented Atlantic weather systems from reaching Northern Europe. Instead, it diverted moisture into the Mediterranean basin. This pattern resulted in irradiance levels in parts of Northern Europe being up to 30% above the average, while in traditional southern holiday destinations, irradiance dropped by as much as 30% below seasonal norms.

Irradiance in England, the Benelux region, Denmark, northern France, northern Germany, and northern Poland soared well above the long - term March averages. For the UK and broader Northern Europe, March was an unusually dry month with minimal frontal activity. The westward displacement of the Azores High was the driving force behind this. It led to more persistent high - pressure blocking over the northern part of the continent and restricted the typical flow of Atlantic lows. Consequently, the region enjoyed stable, sunny conditions that were highly favorable for solar irradiance.

The increase in irradiance in Northern Europe was mirrored in several regional grid aggregations. Germany, notably, witnessed its second - highest March irradiance in over ten years.

In the UK, the aggregated solar irradiance reached its highest level in March since 2014. The UK grid aggregation has been steadily increasing, and the growth in capacity has been a crucial factor in the higher solar output, especially during sunnier months. This trend is consistent with the surge in March 2024, illustrating how both weather conditions and expanding capacity are propelling solar generation to new heights.

Conversely, the Mediterranean region told a different story. The same atmospheric blocking that was beneficial for the north redirected Atlantic moisture much further south than usual. This brought an influx of cloud cover and precipitation to the Mediterranean basin, resulting in an unusually wet month. Most of Spain, including significant solar hubs in the south and central plateau, recorded irradiance values 30% below the March norms. France's Mediterranean coast, the Italian Riviera, and the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily also experienced irradiance drops of up to 20%. A similar shortfall extended eastward from the Balkans to the Black Sea region, all of which endured persistent overcast skies and frequent rainfall systems.