Follow Tenderlake on LinkedIn for concise insights on public-sector tenders and emerging procurement signals.

Introduction

Solar and photovoltaic (PV) projects across the European Union and the United Kingdom soared to new heights in Q1 2025. These procurements reveal how public institutions, local governments, and private partners increasingly team up to expand renewable energy capacity. Photovoltaic initiatives now reach a vast array of facilities - from schools and hospitals to major infrastructure sites and community programs. Understanding these procurements offers insights into their scale, diversity, and civic impact. From rooftop panels on municipal offices to large-scale ground-mounted farms paired with battery storage, the momentum behind solar power is undeniable. In this post, we’ll explore recent examples across multiple EU member states and the UK, highlighting major trends, project variety, and the benefits communities stand to gain from improved sustainability and energy independence.

Key Highlights and Trends

In Q1 2025, several prominent trends stand out:

Self-Consumption Focus: Many procurements prioritize solar arrays designed for on-site consumption, lowering reliance on traditional energy grids.
Growth in Battery Storage: Coupling solar installations with large-scale battery storage to stabilize power supply and enhance resilience.
Community & Cooperative Schemes: Local authorities encourage collective solar purchasing or co-ops to help smaller entities adopt renewable power.
Innovative Integration: Floating PV, agro-photovoltaics, and solar plus heat pump projects point toward cutting-edge applications.

From single-building retrofits to mega-scale solar fields, each procurement bolsters the EU and UK’s broader shift toward carbon-neutral policies and sustainable development.

Sector-by-Sector Overview

Healthcare

Hospitals and health centres across the EU and UK are integrating solar PV to cut operating costs and reduce carbon footprints:

In Ireland, Bus Éireann – Solar Panel Maintenance underscores a focus on maintaining existing solar arrays for critical transport and public facilities.
In Poland, the Gliwice County Hospitals Complex Renewable Energy project merges photovoltaics and heat pumps to modernize its medical infrastructure.

Local Government

Municipalities are spearheading community-based solar procurement, encouraging widespread adoption through collective purchase programs:

Carmarthenshire County Council Collective Purchase Scheme (Wales, UK) helps local homeowners and small businesses get solar PV at reduced costs.
In Croatia, Hrvatska Pošta’s Photovoltaic Power Plant illustrates how public-sector entities are tapping solar solutions to drive cleaner operations.

Infrastructure

Large-scale and novel approaches - such as floating arrays and PV canopies - are gaining traction:

In Germany, Stadtwerke Göttingen AG seeks management services for ground-mounted PV systems, showing how local utilities are steadily expanding solar capacity.
In England, the AWE Solar Programme in Burghfield marks a significant upgrade at a secure facility, showcasing large-scale solar deployment.

Education

Schools and universities across the EU see solar power as both an educational tool and a cost-saver:

In France, Eaux de Vienne – SIVEER pairs water treatment plants with on-site PV generation. Though not strictly a school, it showcases public-sector synergy with local educational programs and environmental awareness.
Meanwhile, in Wales, Ynni Newydd Cyfyngedig has launched a 1.5MW solar farm that involves local schools in renewable technology awareness.

Noteworthy or Unique Contracts

While rooftop installations remain common, several unusual tenders stand out for their scale or innovation:

Solar & Heat Pump Integration (Poland): Gmina Porąbka is retrofitting public buildings with both solar arrays and air-source heat pumps, slashing pollution and boosting renewable use.
Road Infrastructure & Solar (Poland): Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad (Naprawa) merges solar micro-installations into highway management, reinforcing how road authorities embrace green energy.
Floating PV Initiatives: Though not always explicitly mentioned, some EU regions plan to deploy floating photovoltaic panels over reservoirs to save space and reduce water evaporation, demonstrating new frontiers in solar design.

Other creativity includes installing solar canopies over parking areas, integrating farmland and solar arrays (agro-photovoltaics), and building multi-site microgrids to share energy in real time.

Wrap-Up and Outlook

From rural Polish municipalities to busy UK councils, solar procurement in Q1 2025 has become central to public operations. Where photovoltaics once seemed optional, they’re now mainstream solutions for cutting costs and meeting emissions targets. Looking ahead, advanced battery storage and integrated smart grids will likely dominate new proposals. Meanwhile, governments and local authorities continue crafting financing models - like collective purchase schemes - that bring solar within reach of smaller stakeholders. With every megawatt of solar capacity added, EU and UK institutions close the gap on climate goals, enhance energy security, and inspire further innovation in the renewables sphere. By spanning infrastructure, healthcare, education, and more, the wave of solar and photovoltaic procurements demonstrates a wide commitment to a sustainable future. As Q1 2025 wraps, Europe reaffirms its leadership in renewable technology, bridging policy ambition with on-the-ground progress that benefits communities across the continent and beyond.

Solar and Photovoltaic Projects Q1 2025