INTERACTIVE: Platts Renewable Energy Price Explorer

(Latest update: May 11, 2026)

Wind and solar in Europe's five biggest markets generated a record 157 terawatt-hours in the first quarter of 2026, but capture prices varied significantly by market, Platts assessments show.  

Spanish solar capture prices averaged Eur25.89/megawatt-hour in Q1, compared to Eur122.87/MWh for Italian solar, with the role of gas in setting national power prices the key factor for the difference.  

"The near-term strength in gas prices weighs on solar capture rates. Spain continues to see the greatest impact in the summer alongside solar-heavy Germany. However, Spanish solar rates are suppressed even in winter, while wind capture rates hold relatively steady," analysts at S&P Global Energy CERA said in a report.   

Wind capture prices across most markets were supported by higher outright power prices due to spikes in global gas prices, according to Platts assessments for S&P Global Energy. 

German offshore wind capture prices averaged Eur96.96/MWh in Q1, up about 40% year over year despite increased generation.

The trends continued in April as negative hourly prices reemerged during periods of low demand and high supply, clustered around solar peak hours.

Capture rates for solar in Spain, Germany and France fell below 50% on average in April, while wind capture rates averaged about 90%.

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The dial chart shows monthly wind, solar, nuclear, gas and coal-fired generation across Europe's five biggest power markets. Click a segment for more detail.