Hungary has unexpectedly become the world leader in the proportion of its electricity derived from solar power, according to a recent analysis. The report, from the think tank Ember, shows that the Central European nation generated nearly a quarter of its electricity from solar panels in 2024, surpassing the former leader, Chile. This significant achievement is credited to strong national policies that have spurred rapid growth in both large-scale and residential solar installations, placing Hungary at the forefront of the global energy transition.
A detailed review of 2024 energy data from nations producing over five terawatt-hours of solar power has identified a surprising frontrunner. Displacing countries with more traditionally sunny climates, Hungary now holds the top position for the share of its electricity mix coming from solar. The nation’s ascent has been swift, overtaking Chile, which had consistently led the world in this category since 2021.
The country’s solar expansion shows no signs of slowing. Data from the first ten months of this year indicates that solar’s contribution to Hungary’s grid has already climbed to approximately one-third. This represents a dramatic transformation from just five years ago, when solar power accounted for a mere 7% of the nation’s electricity. Ember’s analysis attributes this exponential growth to effective government support for both utility-scale solar farms and residential rooftop systems.
Hungary’s success is part of a broader trend across the European Union, with Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands also ranking in the top five globally as the continent works to displace fossil fuels. However, it is important to distinguish this leadership in proportional generation from total output. China remains the world’s largest producer of solar energy in absolute terms, generating far more terawatt-hours than any other country, though this accounts for only about 8% of its own massive electricity demand. As the global solar boom continues, the competition to maintain this top spot will undoubtedly intensify.