Solar energy in Finland

Solar panels in Helsinki

Solar energy in Finland is used primarily for water heating and by the use of photovoltaics to generate electricity. As a northern country, summer days are long and winter days are short. Above the Arctic Circle, the sun does not rise some days in winter, and does not set some days in the summer. Due to the low sun angle, it is more common to place solar panels on the south side of buildings instead of on the roof. Mounting them vertically reduces the average output by 22% from mounting at a 60° angle.

Photovoltaics

The PV capacity of Finland was (2012) 11.1 MW_p. Solar power in Finland was (1993–1999) 1 GWh, (2000–2004) 2 GWh and (2005) 3 GWh.^[1] There has been at least one demonstration project by the YIT Rakennus, NAPS Systems, Lumon and City of Helsinki in 2003. Finland is not a member either in the IEA's Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme or the Scandinavian Photovoltaic Industry Association, SPIA.

Solar heating

The objective in solar heating is 163 000 m² collector area (1995–2010).^[2] In 2006 the collector area in operation was 16 493 m².^[3] Solar heat in Finland was (1997–2004) 4-5 GWh and (2005) 6 GWh.^[1] Thus, Finland has installed 10% of its objective in 11 years time (1995–2010). The solar heating has not been competitive due to cheap alternatives (electricity, fuel oil and district heating) and the lack of support systems. Companies and public organizations may receive 40% investment subsidies, but private houses do not receive subsidies yet. The Finnish Solar Industries (FSI) group was established in 2001.^[2] 2006/2005 the markets grew 43%. Finland's production capacity is 16 000 m²/a. New installations were: 2 380 m² (2006), 1 668 m² (2005) and 1 141 m² (2004). There are growth opportunities in the solar heating.

Statistics

Source: NREL[4]

Finland's PV Capacity (MWp)[5][6]
Year	Capacity	Installed	% Change
2001	2.76	n.a.	n.a.
2002	3.05	0.29	10%
2003	3.40	0.35	11%
2004	3.70	0.30	9%
2005	4.00	0.30	8%
2006	4.62	0.62	16%
2007	5.10	0.48	10%
2008	5.65	0.55	11%
2009	7.65	2.00	35%
2010	9.65	2.00	26%
2011	11.17	1.52	16%
2012	11.17	0.00	0%
2013	11.17	0.00	0%
2014	11.17	0.00	0%

References

1. Energy Statistics Yearbook 2006, Official Statistics of Finland (GWh)
2. ESTIF Sun in Action II – A Solar Thermal Strategy for Europe, vol. 2 The Solar Thermal Sector Country by Country, 21 National Reports, 348 s., 4/2003
3. Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (Trends and market statistics 2006) 6/2007
4. "PV Watts". NREL. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
5. Euro Observer
6. "Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2014-2018" (PDF). http://www.epia.org. EPIA – European Photovoltaic Industry Association. p. 24. Archived from the original on 12 June 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2015. External link in |website= (help)