Abundant solar power

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%.

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).

Which solar technology will generate the most electricity by 2050?

As shown in Fig. 1, by 2050, solar PV technology is projected to have the largest installed capacity (8519 GW), making it the second most prominent generation source behind wind power, and it is expected to generate approximately 25% of total electricity needs by 2050. Table 1. Global installed solar capacity from 2013 to 2022. Table 2.

Which countries have the most solar PV installed capacity in 2022?

In 2022, the most significant expansion in the solar PV market occurred in China, the US, and India, with increments of 86.1 GW, 17.8 GW, and 13.5 GW, respectively (IRENA, 2023). Fig. 2 shows the contribution of each continent in the world's solar PV installed capacity in 2018, followed by 2030 and 2050 based on IRENA’s REmap analysis.

Is solar energy a renewable resource?

Solar energy is a widely distributed, sustainable, and renewable energy source. As a renewable resource, solar energy has the capability to replace the widely used fossil fuel resource in the near future.

Where does solar PV development take place in the world?

Rapid solar PV development has occurred in other areas since 2013, particularly in China. In 2017, China became the largest solar PV market, outperforming Europe, with approximately 1/3 of the world’s installed capacity. The world's cumulative installed solar PV power capacity passed 1046 GW in 2022 (IRENA, 2023).