Trendline Assessment of Solar Energy Potential in Hungary and Current Scenario of Renewable Energy in the Visegrád Countries for Future Sustainability

Abstract

This article aims to present some opportunities for improved solar energy utilization by raising the share of renewables in energy generation in the Visegrád Countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary). The analysis is based on the status of the renewable energy targets in the member countries and their future possibilities. This paper derives input through a thorough investigation of independent data, government policies, European Commission reports, and other data available online with free access. The analysis is processed by focusing on Hungary, as a country with various possible facets of solar energy demand and supply in the region. The assessment methodology is in the context of a geographical map, technical regression analysis, temperature distribution profiles, and the relative trends of solar potential in Hungary. The country currently has ten solar power plants with more than 10 MWp, and five remarkable plants under 10 MWp capacity spread over Hungary. The analysis on geographical aspects clubbed with technical and solar affecting parameters was carried out to harvest the sustainable potential of solar energy in the region. This study attempts to establish a relationship between the current and future prospects of solar energy in Hungary as a nation, and as part of the Visegrád countries, based on assessment for a sustainable future.

Forecasting the development of renewable energy sources in the Visegrad Group countries against the background of the European Union

“…6). Despite a slight decrease in the RES share since 2013, Hungary reflects the highest potential in terms of solar radiation among the four V4 countries (Kumar et al, 2021), which translated into a significant increase in solar energy production from 2019 onwards by more than 59% (Renewables Now, 2019b). The increase in the number of photovoltaic power plants in recent years is due to the possibility of subsidies from 2019 for this type of investment (Simon & Deák, 2022).…”

“…The similarity of the economies of the Visegrad Group countries resulted from the departure from central planning, although certain differences were visible in the national, ethnic and cultural areas (Pach-Gurgul & Ulbrych, 2019). Political instability in the Central and Eastern European region gave rise to the Visegrad countries in 1991, followed by the break-up of Czechoslovakia in 1993, which led to the formation of the Visegrad Group (V4) (Kumar et al, 2021). Initially, the main goal of this informal association was the full integration of cooperation in the political and economic dimensions (Latawski, 1993).…”

“…Initially, the main goal of this informal association was the full integration of cooperation in the political and economic dimensions (Latawski, 1993). The Visegrad Group countries are an example of countries with mutual interests that should transcend borders to develop emerging energy sectors (Kumar et al, 2021). The possibility of close economic cooperation of the Visegrad Group countries resulting from geographic proximity enables the reduction of costs resulting from the transmission of energy between countries (Sulich & Sołoducho-Pelc, 2021).…”

Entrepreneurship in the Raw Materials Sector

“…An excellent solar dryer can pro vide better calorific value and make the boiler plants more efficient in terms of energy. In add ition, the southern part of central Europe and Hungary receives a good amount of solar insolation in the summer season, which could be a good reason for small-scale farmers to pro mote this technology (Kumar et al, 2021). As shown in Figure 1.…”

Analysis of the Possibility of Fulfilling the Paris Agreement by the Visegrad Group Countries

“…In 2020, 48% of electricity in Hungary came from nuclear power plants (in 2019: 48.2%, in 2018: 49%), 36% of electricity production in Hungary was based on fossil fuels (25% gas, 11% coal) (Figure 3) [52][53][54]. For comparison, in 2018, 23% of electricity came from gas and 15% from coal.…”