A logistic opportunity: Hungary’s rapid rise in solar energy

Hungary has seen a remarkable increase in solar power production, with the share of photovoltaics in its energy mix growing from 4 percent to nearly 25 percent in just five years. However, this transformation has been driven mainly by government subsidies and EU funding, rather than private-sector investment alone. At the same time, the rapid development of the photovoltaic sector is generating significant demand for logistics services.

According to Ember, a UK-based energy think tank, 2024 was a breakthrough year for the European Union’s energy mix. For the first time in history, the share of solar energy exceeded 11 percent, surpassing coal-generated electricity (9.8 percent). Hungary stands out as the country with the highest share of solar power generation. This position has been made possible largely thanks to the aforementioned national and EU-level support mechanisms.

The growth of the solar industry in Hungary, as well as in neighbouring countries like Austria and Poland, creates significant demand for logistics services, particularly in the transportation and warehousing of photovoltaic components. Our industry is responsible for ensuring timely and secure deliveries of products to both distributors and installers. As a leading logistics operator in the CEE region, we have experience managing supply chains for such components. We provide support for all types of solar technologies, including backup batteries, photovoltaic panels, frames and mounts, as well as accessories such as fuses, measuring devices, and connecting cables.

For this sector, we offer services such as full truckload road transport from seaports, handling customs procedures and insurance matters, as well as warehousing of components in strategically located logistics centers across Central and Eastern Europe. This approach enables efficient handling of growing demand while minimising delays.

Handling photovoltaic components requires special attention to their safety. For example, solar panels are equipped with delicate components susceptible to damage during transport or storage. At our company, we have established procedures and proper standards for packaging, handling, and unpacking panels to minimise the risk of damage. Moreover, storing these products requires compliance with specialised standards and monitoring of storage conditions. A key challenge in this area is the ambiguous and constantly changing regulations. Keeping up with these changes is essential to effectively adapting logistics processes to new requirements.

Expert contribution by: Laszló Molnár, Managing Director, Rohlig SUUS Logistics Hungary