Global Solar Power Grid

How will solar PV transform the global electricity sector?

Alongside wind energy, solar PV would lead the way in the transformation of the global electricity sector. Cumulative installed capacity of solar PV would rise to 8 519 GW by 2050 becoming the second prominent source (after wind) by 2050.

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).

How will solar PV & wind impact global electricity generation?

The share of solar PV and wind in global electricity generation is forecast to double to 25% in 2028 in our main case. This rapid expansion in the next five years will have implications for power systems worldwide.

Will wind and solar power increase global power capacity?

In a scenario in which countries’ national energy and climate goals are met on time and in full, wind and solar PV account for over 80% of the total increase in global power capacity in the next two decades, compared with less than 40% over the past two decades.

What is the global solar PV market like in 2022?

The solar PV market is dominated by crystalline silicon technology, for which the production process consists of four main steps: In 2022, global solar PV manufacturing capacity increased by over 70% to reach 450 GW for polysilicon and up to 640 GW for modules, with China accounting for more than 95% of new facilities throughout the supply chain.

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.