Flanders Surpasses One Million Solar Panel Installations: What Does This Mean for Your Home?

Did you know that with over one million installations, Flanders is among the absolute European leaders when it comes to solar panels? Solar panels are no longer an exception—they are quickly becoming the norm in the Flemish real estate market. More and more people in Flanders are consciously choosing an energy-efficient home, and this has a direct impact on the value and marketability of properties..

The presence of solar panels is now a real game-changer for homeowners. If you already have solar panels, your property immediately stands out in the real estate market. Homes with solar panels are not only more attractive to buyers, but they also tend to sell faster and at a better price. This is because buyers are increasingly looking for homes with lower energy bills and a better energy label—two things that solar panels directly improve. During viewings, potential buyers often ask about energy efficiency and the presence of renewable energy sources. A home with solar panels signals that the property is future-proof, sustainable, and ready for the next generation of homeowners. Even if you’re not planning to sell, solar panels are a smart investment: they lower your monthly energy costs, increase your home’s value, and protect you against rising energy prices. In short, solar panels make your home more comfortable, more valuable, and more resilient for the future.

Flanders recently surpassed the milestone of 1,035,097 solar panel installations. This figure includes not only private homes but also solar panels on businesses, schools, farms, and public buildings. While residential installations are by far the most numerous, the overall picture shows that solar energy is on the rise everywhere in Flanders.

All these solar panels together account for an impressive total capacity of 7,222 megawatts (MW). That means an average of 1,059 watts of solar panels per resident. On average, there are 530 kilowatts of solar panels per square kilometer. The potential is even greater: it is estimated that Flanders could generate up to 56,588 MW of solar energy.

That’s enough to power more than 16 million households, or the equivalent output of 56 nuclear power plants. With this much solar energy, Flanders could almost cover the entire annual electricity consumption of Belgium!

The growth of solar panels in Flanders is clearly on the rise. In 2023, a record 1,217 MW of new capacity was installed! There were also strong increases in 2020 (788 MW) and 2021 (676 MW). Even in 2024, with figures not yet complete, the counter already stands at 748 MW of new solar panels.

With 927 watts of solar panels per resident, Flanders is among the absolute top in Europe. Only the Netherlands (1,342 watts) and Germany (974 watts) do better. Flanders even leaves the Belgian average (745 watts per resident) far behind. For comparison: in France it’s 230 watts, in Spain 637 watts, and in Ireland only 85 watts per resident. So, if you live in Flanders, you’re at the forefront of the solar energy revolution!