Demand for rooftop solar systems across Europe has risen sharply following the outbreak of the war in Iran, as households increasingly seek protection from escalating power costs driven by severe global energy market disruptions, Reuters reported.

The conflict has triggered significant increases in oil, natural gas, and electricity prices, with European gas benchmarks spiking by over 30%, briefly exceeding $50 per megawatt-hour (MWh), placing immense financial pressure on both consumers and businesses while accelerating the shift toward stable energy alternatives.

Solar energy has emerged as a key beneficiary of this trend. Industry sources indicate that homeowner demand has more than doubled for some suppliers since late February, based on feedback from energy equipment wholesalers and renewable utilities operating in major markets including Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

The surge provides renewed momentum for the solar sector, which represents roughly one-third of Europe’s total power capacity but experienced a slowdown in new installations last year—the first decline in nearly a decade.

Despite the recent growth, industry stakeholders emphasize that further expansion of renewable energy remains critical for Europe to reduce its dependence on imported hydrocarbons and mitigate exposure to volatile global energy markets.