By the end of December, Norway had reached a cumulative installed PV capacity of 597 MW spread across 28,170 solar plants.⁶

The projected Norway solar power production for 2025 is estimated to reach approximately 2.4 GW. With a 2030 target of 8 TWh of solar energy annually, equivalent to about 5% of Norway’s average yearly output. This initiative responds to potential power deficits anticipated from 2027 onward.⁶

In Norway, the average levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) varies by source.⁷

Coal: the LCOE is approximately $0.11 per kWh while natural gas is around $0.09 per kWh.

Solar Energy about $0.08 per kWh and wind power ranges from $0.05 to $0.06 per kWh.

Hydropower remains the most economical at about $0.04 per kWh.

Nuclear power though not widely used in Norway has an estimated LCOE of around $0.09 per kWh when considering new installations

As of 2023, Norway’s electricity generation is predominantly sourced from renewable energy with hydropower being the largest contributor accounting for approximately 88% of total production. Wind power contributes about 11% with an installed capacity of 5073 MW while solar power, although growing, remains minimal at around 1% with 299 MW installed capacity. Thermal power plants, utilizing various energy sources, represent about 1.5% of the total production capacity.⁸

Norway’s national electricity grid is known for its high reliability providing nearly continuous power supply with minimal interruptions. The country benefits from a robust infrastructure managed by Statnett which ensures that electricity is available almost 24 hours a day across the nation.⁹

In Norway, the number of residential solar panel installations has been growing steadily. As of recent reports, there are approximately 14,000 residential solar systems installed across the country.¹⁰

As of the latest data, Norway has a total of 44 utility-scale solar installations that are either operational or in various stages of the approval process​.¹³

As of 2022, the off-grid solar PV market size in Europe which includes Norway was valued at approximately $2.5 billion USD. By 2030, this market is projected to grow to $4.84 billion USD with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.6%​.¹²

The on-grid solar market in Norway is experiencing significant growth. As of 2023, Norway had approximately 597 MW of installed solar PV capacity spread across 28,170 installations with a notable portion being on-grid systems. Projections indicate that this capacity is set to surpass 1 GW by the end of 2024 with expectations to reach around 2 GW by 2025. This expansion is driven by favorable government policies increased electricity prices and a growing focus on renewable energy solutions.¹³

The average monthly income of workers in the solar industry in Norway varies depending on specific roles and experience levels but it generally aligns with other sectors within the energy industry. On average, workers in the electricity, gas and steam sector which includes solar energy learn around 6415 USD per month​.¹⁴

As of 2024, the population of Norway is approximately 5.5 million people.¹⁵

Overhead cost in solar panel production typically include:¹⁶

Factory Rent/Mortgage: The cost of leasing or purchasing a facility can vary widely based on location and size. On average, land prices in Norway range from $55,000 to $800,000 per acre with additional costs for construction or modification of the facility averaging $200 to $250 per square meter​.

Utilities: Utility costs including electricity and water are crucial. For a solar manufacturing plant you can expect utility costs to be around $20,000 annually. This includes energy and water requirements for the manufacturing process​.

Equipment Maintenance: Maintenance of manufacturing equipment is essential for smooth operations. This cost typically ranges from $50,000 to $100,000 annually depending on the size and complexity of the plant​.

Administrative Costs: Administrative expenses including salaries for office staff, office supplies and general overhead can range from $200,000 to $300,000 annually depending on the size of the administrative team and other office-related expenses.

Research and Development (R&D): Investing in R&D is vital for innovation and maintaining competitiveness. R&D costs can vary significantly but generally range from $100,000 to $500,000 annually depending on the scale and scope of the projects​.

Quality Control: Ensuring the quality of solar panels involves rigorous testing and certification. Quality control costs can range from $50,000 to $150,000 annually including the cost of equipment and personnel involved in testing​.

Regulatory Compliance: Complying with local, national and international regulations can be costly. Costs for obtaining necessary permits and certifications can range from $3,000 to $10,000 for initial setup and $1,500 to $20,000 for ongoing compliance and certifications like UL and NEC​.

Norway’s energy infrastructure is predominantly based on renewable energy, with hydropower accounting for about 90% of its electricity production. The country has over 1,600 hydropower plants with a total capacity of nearly 35 GW, making it the largest hydropower producer in Europe. In recent years, Norway has also been expanding its wind power capacity, both onshore and offshore, contributing to a more diversified energy mix.¹⁷

Domestically, Norway promotes energy efficiency and sustainability through stringent building codes and widespread adoption of electric vehicles driven by substantial government incentives. The country’s interconnected electricity grid with neighboring nations further enhances its energy security and export potential¹⁸

The regulations surrounding solar panel production in Norway are primarily governed by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and the Energy Act. As of February 2024, NVE proposed modifications to the regulations determining which solar power plants require a concession under the Energy Act. According to the existing rules, solar power plants need a concession if the establishment of high-voltage facilities is necessary for power distribution to the grid.¹⁹

Additionally, the Norwegian government has set stringent environmental and safety standards for the production of solar panels to ensure minimal environmental impact. These regulations include requirements for the recycling of solar panel materials and the safe disposal of hazardous substances used in the manufacturing process. Compliance with these regulations is monitored by the Norwegian Environment Agency which ensures that solar panel production aligns with the country’s broader environmental and sustainability goals.²⁰

The Norwegian government has been actively investing in and promoting solar panel production through various initiatives.

Mandate for Solar Power in Government Buildings: Starting from 2024, all new government buildings in Norway are required to have solar panels installed. This initiative is part of a broader plan to expand the use of solar technology in the country.²¹

Enova Subsidies: Enova, Norway’s clean energy agency, provides subsidies for residential solar installations. As of October 2023, the subsidy includes NOK 7,500 plus NOK 1,250 per kW installed.²²

Increased Support for Residential PV: Enova has increased the maximum PV system size eligible for rebates from 15 kW to 20 kW and raised the maximum subsidy amount from NOK 1,250 to NOK 2,000 per kW installed.²³

Investment in Solar and Wind Projects Abroad: Norges Bank Investment Management has invested in solar plants and onshore wind farms in Spain and Portugal, indicating a broader strategy to support renewable energy projects.²⁴

Notable current solar projects in Norway include the following:

Installed:

Furuseth Solkraftverk: Located in Stor-Elvdal, this is Norway’s first large-scale solar power plant, 7MWp and covering around 200 hectares. It was developed by Solgrid AS, a joint venture between Østfold Energi, Akershus Energi and the investment company Obligo.²⁵

ASKO Midt Solar PV Plant: This solar PV project has a capacity of 1.41 MW and came online in 2017. It is located in Trøndelag and is owned by Asko Norge.²⁶

Unil AS Solar PV Park: Operating since 2016, this 1.32 MW solar PV project is located in Akershus and is owned by Unil AS.²⁶

Projected:

Geisli Energi AS: The projects range from 20 MW to potentially 100 MW each with a total capacity of 655 MW. The estimated annual production is 330 GWh with the potential to increase by an additional 400 GWh per year. This initiative marks a significant step in expanding Norway’s renewable energy portfolio.²⁷

Hydro Rein’s Solar Projects in the Nordics: Hydro Rein is establishing a joint solar power company together with Norwegian landowner Opplysningsvesenets fond (OVF). The parties aim to develop seven solar projects totaling 655 MW at selected properties in Norway.²⁷

REC Group (Renewable Energy Corporation)

Details: Founded in Norway in 1996, REC is a leading vertically integrated solar energy company. They handle everything from silicon production to manufacturing wafers, cells, and high-quality solar panels. REC also provides comprehensive solar solutions globally.²⁸

Norsk Solar

Details: Norsk Solar, now part of Norsk Renewables AS, is a vertically integrated independent power producer. They focus on solar, wind and storage solutions aiming to facilitate the clean energy transition in markets where they can make a significant impact.²⁹

Scatec Solar

Details: Scatec Solar is a leading renewable energy company that develops, builds, owns and operates solar power plants. They have a global presence and are involved in large-scale solar projects contributing significantly to renewable energy production.³⁰

Fusen

Details: Fusen specializes in the installation of solar energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial clients. They focus on providing tailored solar solutions to maximize energy efficiency and sustainability.³¹

Solcellespesialisten

Details: Solcellespesialisten is one of Norway’s largest solar energy companies offering a wide range of solar products and services including the installation of solar panels and energy storage systems.³¹