July was anything but quiet in the world of sustainable energy. From game-changing policy updates to breakthrough tech and shifting market trends, there was a lot for installers to take in. Whether you’re focused on solar, batteries, heat pumps, or all of the above—this month’s news points to one thing: the energy transition is evolving fast. We’ve rounded up 10 of the most relevant headlines from across Europe—spanning the Netherlands, UK, Germany, France, Belgium, and Spain—and added our take on what it means for your business.
Let’s get you up to speed.
1. Solar becomes the EU’s #1 electricity source
TL;DR: Solar generated 22.1% of all electricity in the EU in June—more than any other source.
What is it about?
For the first time ever, solar overtook nuclear, wind, and gas to become the EU’s largest power source. It delivered 45.4 TWh in June, thanks to clear skies and a huge build-out over the past 24 months.
How we see it
This is a proud moment for solar, but it also comes with pressure. High solar generation during the day is great—but now we need smarter storage and usage to manage all that power. That’s where solar + battery combos, home energy management, and flexible consumption strategies come in. At OpusFlow, we help installers design and deliver integrated systems that do more than just generate power—they optimize it.
2. Dutch solar owners have earned back their systems—but now what?
TL;DR: 1 in 3 Dutch households with solar have fully paid off their systems—but self-consumption remains low.
What is it about?
Over a million homes in the Netherlands have recovered the cost of their solar setups, largely thanks to net metering. But with the salderingsregeling (net-metering scheme) ending in 2027, there's a clear opportunity—and need—for households to improve self-consumption.
How we see it
This is the perfect time to reconnect with your past PV clients. Many of them are ready for batteries, home chargers, or heat pumps—and OpusFlow makes it easy to follow up, segment your database, and send tailored offers based on past installs. Our tools turn old projects into new business.
3. Heat pump sales beat gas boilers in Germany
B: For the first time, Germany installed more heat pumps than gas boilers—139,000 units in the first half of 2025.
What is it about?
Germany’s strong policy push—under its Building Energy Act (Gebäudeenergiegesetz)—plus generous subsidies and high gas prices have driven a surge in heat pump installations. Homeowners and light-commercial buyers are increasingly choosing electric heating options over fossil fuels. This is a flagship case of clean heating going mainstream.
How we see it
This is massive. Heat pump installation is no longer niche—it’s becoming the default. But with growth comes complexity: stock, supplier coordination, and system design all get trickier. We support installers with tools to manage inventory, track quotes, and stay compliant in shifting regulatory environments.
4. Spain approves 3.4 GW in new renewable projects
TL;DR: The Spanish government approved 43 new renewable energy projects in July, totaling almost 2 GW.
What is it about?
Spain continues its aggressive push toward clean energy, with rapid approvals of large-scale renewables—particularly solar farms coupled with battery storage. These projects target utility and industrial load areas, often hybridized to provide grid flexibility and local resilience.
How we see it
This is great news for regional installers. We expect a wave of tenders, partnerships, and subcontracting opportunities—especially for those ready to deliver hybrid solar + BESS systems. With OpusFlow, installers can manage multi-tech projects in one place, track progress, and report to clients or partners with clarity.
5. Air-to-air heat pumps may soon qualify for £7,500 grant
TL;DR: The UK is considering adding air-to-air heat pumps to its Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
What is it about?
In July 2025, the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero launched a consultation to potentially include air-to-air heat pumps in the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. These units offer both heating in winter and cooling in summer—filling a gap for homes where air-to-water installations are impractical. If approved, this change would open the grant to a broader range of homes and installers, aligning policy with consumer needs for year-round climate control.
How we see it
We think this is a smart step. Combined heating/cooling systems meet real-world needs, especially with hotter summers. For installers, it opens the door to year-round services—not just winter work. With OpusFlow, you can easily switch between quoting air-to-water and air-to-air setups, bundle PV offers, and upsell service contracts in one flow.
6. Germany sees new ultra-efficient propane heat pumps
TL;DR: AIT‑Group launched compact R290 (propane) heat pumps achieving a Seasonal COP of 5.14, ultra-low refrigerant charge (<150 g), and integrated cooling—perfect for retrofit applications.
What is it about?
AIT‑Group has brought to market its ultra-compact residential brine heat pumps using natural refrigerant R290 (propane), with a minimal charge under 150 g. These models deliver class-leading SCOP of 5.14 at 35 °C flow temperature and operate without the need for separate ventilation. They also include integrated cooling, support flow temps up to 75 °C and are suitable for tight spaces—perfect for retrofit jobs and homes converting away from gas or oil heating.
How we see it
Retrofits are the next frontier. High-performance gear makes the business case easier—but only if installers can present clear ROI and comparison quotes. That’s where OpusFlow’s quoting tools help: fast proposals,accurate ROIs and ready-to-send PDFs that sell themselves.
7. France & Spain Invest €800 M+ in Clean Energy Jobs in Former Coal Regions
TL;DR: The Just Transition Plan is injecting €800M+ into renewable energy job creation in regions like Asturias.
What is it about?
Spain is pushing forward with a just transition in regions most affected by coal industry decline. The government has invested heavily in retraining and infrastructure programs to redeploy former coal workers into renewables—especially solar PV, battery storage, and wind projects. This strategy is already spurring job creation, economic diversification, and local energy development in places like Asturias, Castilla y León, and Aragón.
How we see it
This is more than policy—it’s an installer opportunity. These regions are gaining tools, support, and funding to scale up green projects quickly. OpusFlow helps small and mid‑size local installers manage this growth by enabling efficient lead follow-ups, project tracking, and team coordination—so you can take part in local infrastructure expansions without admin chaos.
8. Belgium mandates solar/heat pump audits for large consumers
TL;DR: Flanders now mandates that large electricity consumers (consuming >1 GWh annually) must assess solar PV and electrification options—including heat pumps—to comply with regional regulations.
What is it about?
Organizations in Flanders consuming more than 1 GWh/year of electricity are now mandated to install onsite PV systems or invest in equivalent renewable measures such as heat pumps or wind—by 1 April 2026 maximum. This policy is aimed at turning high-consumption rooftops into energy assets or aligning them with broader sustainability measures.
How we see it
Installer opportunities here go beyond the physical install—energy audits, site visits, and quoting will drive value. OpusFlow helps structure these offers, track outcomes, and build a repeatable process across industrial clients.
9. Spain supports local solar-battery microgrids
TL;DR: After recent grid failures, Spain backs community-scale battery systems to increase resilience.
What is it about?
During the catastrophic April 2025 blackout of the Iberian grid, the small village of San Vicente del Monte remained powered thanks to a 160 kW / 250 kWh standalone battery system from Zigor Corporación. These local microgrids can now serve as models for resilience—prompting Spain to actively support distributed energy storage at the community level.
How we see it
Projects like these highlight the shift toward more complex, multi-technology installations. With OpusFlow, installers can organize solar + battery projects with clarity—plan team schedules, track equipment deliveries, and manage multiple jobs at once. For those getting involved in local microgrids, our tools help ensure everything stays on time, on budget, and fully documented.
10. EU solar growth slows for first time in a decade
TL;DR: SolarPower Europe predicts a 1.4% drop in solar installs this year—down from 65.1 GW in 2024.
What is it about?
After years of double-digit growth, Europe’s solar market is entering its first contraction since 2015. Many governments—including Germany, France, and the Netherlands—have scaled back rooftop solar incentives, contributing to a residential segment expected to drop from ~30% to ~15% of total new capacity this year. While utility-scale installations remain relatively stable, the overall momentum has slowed—raising concerns about hitting the EU’s 2030 solar targets.
How we see it
This market shift is your cue to diversify—not downscale. With OpusFlow, you’re not limited to solar. Our platform includes tools like a heat pump ROI calculator, multi-tech product workflows, and flexible quoting across categories—so you can confidently add batteries, EV chargers, or HVAC systems to your offer. It’s not just a PV tool—it’s your full stack to scale up in a changing market. Be ready for the next wave of demand.
Looking back at July
July 2025 showed us that the energy transition isn’t slowing down—it’s shifting gears. From Germany’s heat pump surge to Spain’s microgrid momentum and the EU’s first solar slowdown in a decade, the headlines were a mix of record highs and strategic pivots. For installers, it’s a reminder that staying flexible, informed, and ready to adapt is key. The good news? With every shift comes new demand—and new chances to lead.
See you next month
At OpusFlow, we keep you up to date every month – with hand-picked news, assessments, and tips specifically for you as an installer.
See you in September.