The number of hours of sun in the Netherlands shot up by nearly 16% in the first half of 2018, saving homeowners with solar panels an average €281 over the six-month period, energy supplier Essent said on Monday.

Essent, which is owned by German power giant RWE, said February and May were unusually sunny this year, delivering a healthy dividend over previous years and with energy costs falling back as a result.

The national weather service KNMI measured 159 hours of sunshine in February at its De Bilt station. This compares to a long-term average of only 85 hours during the often dreary month. May, which normally has 159 hours of sun, registered an increase to 213 hours, Essent said.

First-half revenues were 13% higher than the long-term average, with owners of solar panels saving an average of €32 a month. January was the only ‘less sunny’ month with only 47 hours of sunshine, bringing savings of just €7 that month, Essent said.