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Global solar power production
Global renewable energy capacity grew by a record-breaking 15.1% in 2024 to reach 4,448 gigawatts (GW). Around the world, an additional 585 GW of power was added, largely due to solar and wind energy expansion, figures released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show.[Free PDF Download]
FAQS about Global solar power production
What is the contribution of solar energy to global electricity production?
While the contribution of solar energy to global electricity production remains generally low at 3.6%, it has firmly established itself among other renewable energy technologies, comprising nearly 31% of the total installed renewable energy capacity in 2022 (IRENA, 2023).
Is solar energy a future energy resource?
The utilization of renewable energy as a future energy resource is drawing significant attention worldwide. The contribution of solar energy (including concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) power) to global electricity production, as one form of renewable energy sources, is generally still low, at 3.6%.
Why did the global solar PV market grow so fast?
This was the largest annual capacity increase ever recorded and brought the cumulative global solar PV capacity to 1,133 GW. The solar PV market continued its steady growth despite disruptions across the solar value chain, mainly due to sharp increases in the costs of raw materials and shipping.
What is the global production capacity of solar modules?
According to the STEPS scenario, global solar module production capacity will reach 1,546 GW by 2035, while under the APS scenario, capacity will increase to 1,695 GW. In 2023, global production capacity is 1,115 GW.
What are the market trends for solar energy in ISA member countries?
Further, the report captures the market trends covering solar infrastructure and electricity access rates in ISA Member countries. Global investment in renewables reached USD 0.5 Tn in 2022 due to the global rise in solar PV installations. Solar PV dominated investment in 2022, accounting for 64% of the renewable energy investment.
Which countries have contributed to global solar PV capacity?
The graph below, depicts the cumulative global solar PV capacity in the last decade. Countries like China, the United States, Japan, India and Germany have made some of the significant contributions to global solar PV capacity.

Global solar power
Over three-quarters of the new renewable capacity was down to solar. Global renewable energy capacity grew by 15.1% in 2024, largely driven by solar. Yet a growth rate of at least 16.6% must be maintained to reach targets of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.[Free PDF Download]
FAQS about Global solar power
What is the contribution of solar energy to global electricity production?
While the contribution of solar energy to global electricity production remains generally low at 3.6%, it has firmly established itself among other renewable energy technologies, comprising nearly 31% of the total installed renewable energy capacity in 2022 (IRENA, 2023).
What is global photovoltaic power potential by country?
The World Bank has published the study Global Photovoltaic Power Potential by Country, which provides an aggregated and harmonized view on solar resource and the potential for development of utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants from the perspective of countries and regions.
Who provides the Global Solar Atlas?
The Global Solar Atlas is provided by the World Bank Group as a free service to governments, developers and the general public, and allows users to quickly obtain data and carry out a simple electricity output calculation for any location covered by the solar resource database.
What is the Global Solar Power Tracker?
The Global Solar Power Tracker is a worldwide dataset of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal facilities. It covers all operating solar farm phases with capacities of 1 megawatt (MW) or more and all announced, pre-construction, construction, and shelved projects with capacities greater than 20 MW.
Is solar energy a future energy resource?
The utilization of renewable energy as a future energy resource is drawing significant attention worldwide. The contribution of solar energy (including concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) power) to global electricity production, as one form of renewable energy sources, is generally still low, at 3.6%.
Who published the study on global photovoltaic power potential?
The World Bank has published the study Global Photovoltaic Power Potential by Country, which provides an aggregated and harmonized view on solar resource and the potential for development of utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants from the perspective of countries and regions.

Global solar power statistics
Here are some key statistics on solar power worldwide:Global solar photovoltaic capacity has increased from around 5 gigawatts in 2005 to approximately 1.6 terawatts in 20231.In 2023, global cumulative installed solar PV capacity was about 1.6 terawatts, with significant contributions from countries like China, the United States, India, and Japan2.The installations increased by almost 40 percent in the last year alone1.These statistics highlight the rapid growth and importance of solar power in the global energy landscape.. Global solar photovoltaic capacity has grown from around five gigawatts in 2005 to approximately 1.6 terawatts in 2023. Only in that last year, installations increased by almost 40 percent. In. . Global cumulative installed solar PV capacity amounted to approximately 1.6 terawatts in 2023, up from less than 2.6 gigawatts in 2003. China, the United States, India, and Japan were the.[Free PDF Download]
FAQS about Global solar power statistics
How much solar energy does the world use?
The world currently has a cumulative solar energy capacity of 850.2 GW (gigawatts). 4.4% of our global energy comes from solar power. China generates more solar energy than any other country, with a current capacity of 308.5 GW. The US relies on solar for 3.9% of its energy, although this share is increasing rapidly every year.
How many GW is solar energy a year?
Solar PV will account for 345.5 GW, bringing the total solar capacity to 1.42 TW by the end of last year. The growth in renewable energy is not happening evenly across the globe, with many developing countries being left behind in the transition. What is Solar Energy?
Which country has the highest solar energy capacity in the world?
China has the highest cumulative solar energy capacity in the world. The IEA measures China’s current capacity at 308.5 GW. The US is next with 123 GW of solar capacity. Japan has 78.2GW. China also installed the most additional solar in 2021, increasing its cumulative capacity by 54.9 GW.
Which countries have contributed to global solar PV capacity?
The graph below, depicts the cumulative global solar PV capacity in the last decade. Countries like China, the United States, Japan, India and Germany have made some of the significant contributions to global solar PV capacity.
How much solar power does the world have in 2023?
Over the past 30 years, global solar power capacity grew from about 2.6 gigawatts in 2003 to 1.6 terawatts in 2023, showing how fast the industry has expanded. The top five countries leading in solar power installations are China, the U.S., Vietnam, Japan, and Germany.
How many people are employed in solar energy?
3,975,096 people are employed in the solar industry worldwide, and 263,883 of these are in the United States. The solar energy industry created more new jobs in the US than any other energy subsector last year. It would take around 18.5 billion solar panels to produce enough energy to power the entire US. What is the capacity of solar energy?