According to the Croatian Renewable Energy Association (OIEH), the nation’s solar sector recorded substantial growth in 2025. Newly connected PV systems with a total capacity of 417 MW went online from December 2024 to December 2025. As a result, Croatia’s total installed solar capacity now stands at 1.255 GW. “If this trend persists, solar could, for the first time, overtake installed wind capacity at the start of 2026,” predict industry representatives in Zagreb.
The majority of new installations were completed on commercial and industrial rooftops. Data from the portal Bolja Energija, based on OIEH figures, shows that 1.136 GW of capacity is now operational in this segment. These systems benefit businesses by enabling direct on-site consumption of most generated power, while also being connected to regional distribution networks.
Large-scale park projects remain on hold
This model offers a clear advantage over large solar parks, which must connect to the high-voltage grid if their capacity exceeds 10 MW. The main bottleneck is the cost of such a grid connection, which remains unclear. Although the government in Zagreb, responding to pressure from the European Commission, has indicated that grid connection fees should not be charged, the final decision rests with Croatia’s energy regulator HERA. This ruling is still pending, leaving major solar projects totalling 3.5 GW on hold.
Croatia faces an uphill climb towards its energy future
Bolja Energija reports that the current installed capacity of solar parks stands at 119 MW. Only two new solar parks were added last year, with capacities of 9.9 MW and 7.6 MW.
Net metering phase-out shakes up residential market
The market for small-scale residential PV systems is undergoing a transition. At the turn of the year, the previous net metering scheme was abolished. Previously, owners of private rooftop installations could feed surplus electricity into the grid and draw back the same amount without charge. With the end of this arrangement, surplus electricity will be compensated at a low rate from 2026 onward. OIEH representatives warn that this may slow further growth in the segment.
RES Croatia: “Lengthy approval processes are an obstacle”
Nevertheless,rising electricity prices could breathe new life into the market. With the Croatian government phasing out crisis-era subsidies that have kept household power rates low, solar is once again regaining its appeal. Low feed-in tariffs are also expected to encourage greater interest in home battery storage paired with PV systems.
This acceleration is urgently needed, together with a faster rollout of large-scale solar plants. The government’s 2030 target is 2.382 GW, meaning Croatia must add as much new solar capacity in the next four years as is currently installed. (su)
