European power prices drop far below zero as solar output surges

The phenomenon of negative prices has become a regular occurrence over the past few years across Europe

A man washes off a solar panel system. Solar energy production typically soars in April with longer and sunnier days.

Power prices across Europe plunged deep below zero over the weekend as sunny weather boosted output from the region’s growing fleet of solar parks.

The phenomenon of negative prices has become a regular occurrence over the past few years in the region, but levels far below zero are still unusual. In March, the number of negative hours doubled in Germany from a year earlier, according to Epex Spot SE data.