Solar becomes main source of electricity in the EU for first time

A man cleans solar panels covered by snow near Burgos, Spain, on 9 January, 2010 - (AFP via Getty Images)

Solar energy was the main source of electricity in the European Union for the first time in history in June, according to new figures.

The renewable energy source accounted for 22 per cent of the electricity generated in the EU, overtaking nuclear energy, which produced 21.6 per cent of the electricity.