What percent of the world uses solar energy? 2024
Solar energy is a relatively new and modern energy source compared to other renewable energy sources, like hydropower. However, there is a growing focus worldwide on solar energy and the ability to harness the sun's power for electricity. As of 2023, solar energy was the world's third-largest renewable energy technology, behind wind and hydropower — nearly 5.5% of global electricity generation came from solar energy in the first half of 2023, most commonly from solar photovoltaics (PV).
Of a total renewable electricity capacity additions of 507 gigawatts (GW), nearly 75% came from solar PV additions in 2023.
Jump to insightCumulative solar energy capacity worldwide reached a little over 1.4 million megawatts (MW), an increase of over 345,000 MW compared to 2022.
Jump to insightIn 2022, 26 countries added at least 1 GW of power, compared to 17 the year before.
Jump to insightChina remains a global powerhouse for renewable energy, producing 427.72 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from solar power in 2022.
Jump to insightThere was a 51% increase in solar energy in the U.S. in 2023.
Jump to insightSolar energy statistics
Solar energy has seen a boost compared to other renewable energy options in recent years. Based on several indicators, the world's solar power consumption appears to be increasing.
- 2023 saw significant growth in solar energy, setting a production record at 346 GW. Of total renewable electricity capacity additions of 507 GW, nearly 75% came from solar PV additions.
- Cumulative solar energy capacity worldwide reached a little over 1.4 million MW, an increase of more than 345,000 MW compared to 2022.
- Solar energy costs declined by almost 50% in 2023, particularly for solar PV.
Global solar and renewable energy
For the last 20 years, global renewable energy has expanded dramatically. The total global consumption of all renewable energy in 2022 approached 45.18 exajoules. In 2023, the world expanded renewable capacity by 50% more than 2022. Although renewable energy remains far behind more established and popular technologies, including coal, natural gas and oil, areas including solar PV have dominated growth in recent years.
In 2022, 26 countries added at least 1 GW of power, compared to 17 the year before. At the top of the list of countries installing new solar PV, China, the U.S., India, Japan, Brazil and Spain were included.
Global solar energy capacity reached new heights in 2023, with over 1.4 million MW of capacity. Most of this capacity is in solar PV, the primary source of solar power for most countries worldwide. However, the total percentage of solar energy consumption worldwide in 2022 was only 2.06%, compared to wind power at 3.27% and nuclear at 3.99%.
Solar energy consumption by country
China consumes the most renewable energy at 29.4% and the most primary energy of any country in the world.5 Similarly, the U.S. consumes the second-most energy from renewable sources and the second-most primary energy worldwide after China.
In 2022, 4.6% of the world’s electricity generation came from solar energy, an increase from the previous year. China consumed the largest share of the world’s solar energy at 32.3%, with the U.S. consuming about half that at 15.9%.
Please note that while countries like China, the U.S. and Japan consume the highest amount of electricity from solar energy each year, it is a relatively small percentage compared to the energy they consume from all sources, including oil, natural gas and coal. Countries like Chile and Australia use solar power for a bigger percentage of their total energy consumption.
Top 10 countries
Solar energy consumption worldwide has accelerated in the last 20 years. China remains a global powerhouse for renewable energy, producing 427.72 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from solar power in 2022. This figure is over 200 TWh more than the U.S. and greater than four times the generation of Japan. China, Japan and India are the clear leaders in Asia for both renewable energy and the solar market.
After China, the countries with the most significant solar energy generation include the U.S. (205.08 TWh), Japan (102.40 TWh) and India (95.16 TWh).
The table below summarizes the countries with the most solar energy consumption in 2022. Note the annual primary energy consumption from solar, which evaluates a country's total energy demand.
Bottom 10 countries
Many countries fall well behind the top in solar energy consumption. At the bottom of the list is the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, which consumed only 0.01 TW of solar power-generated energy in 2022.7
After Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Aruba, and Bahrain are the countries that consume the least solar energy.
The table below summarizes the countries with the smallest solar energy consumption.
Solar market size
Renewable energy is a significant investment area. In 2022, new investments across all areas of renewable energy amounted to $596 billion (USD) worldwide, an increase of about 40% from 2020.
Solar PV spending encompassed 45% of total global electricity generation investments in 2022. Increases in solar capacity will be driven by China, the United States, and India, with major investments in solar PV manufacturing.
The highest areas of renewable investments remain wind and solar energy. In 2022, global solar investments amounted to approximately $300 billion, a significant rise from just $10.7 billion in 2004. The solar market is growing and continuing to increase worldwide due to advances in solar technology and lowered solar panel production costs. The significant effort of many countries to convert to cleaner energy sources has a considerable influence on the growing solar market.
The solar market includes many products, including solar panels, batteries and inverters. The solar industry in the U.S. and worldwide is seeing growth and investment across all areas of solar use, including residential, commercial and industrial.
China leads the way in global solar investments. In 2022, China increased its solar capacity by nearly the same amount as the rest of the world combined. By the end of 2023, it had doubled that capacity.
However, the U.S. also invests widely in renewable energy, with solar industry revenue coming in at $19.5 billion in 2023. The U.S. stands out in North America regarding solar power and solar PV growth. The most popular solar technology is solar PV, and government incentives and lowered PV costs continue to drive growth and investment.
For the first time in 80 years, renewable energy sources account for more than half of additions to energy capacity in the U.S. There was a 51% increase in solar energy in the U.S. in 2023. Analysts predict that solar power generation will continue to grow in the U.S. by 75% from 2023 to 2025.
FAQ
What percentage of the world uses solar energy?
Although only 4.5% of global electricity comes from solar power, more countries continue adding solar capacity each year. Major increases in global capacity are driven by solar PV advancements and lowered costs, which makes it more likely for more countries to take advantage of this renewable energy source. Most of the world has at least some form of solar energy generation. However, the African continent lags despite having some of the greatest potential for solar generation. Africa has only about 1% solar capacity despite hosting 60% of the world’s best solar resources due to its sunny climate and numerous countries close to the equator.
Why is solar energy not used more widely?
Wind power generates and consumes the largest share of renewable energy. For example, the share of U.S. wind-generated electricity grew from less than 1% in 1990 to about 8.4% in 2020. Over that same period, solar-generated electricity grew from 0.1% to roughly 2.5%. However, declining costs and increased concern over global warming are spurring countries worldwide to adopt policies that encourage the expansion of solar energy capacity.
Which country uses the most solar energy in the world?
Although China and the U.S. generate and consume the most solar power, Chile uses the most as a percentage of its total energy consumption. About 7.59% of Chile’s total energy consumed in 2022 came from solar power generation. Comparatively, 2.52% of China’s total energy consumption came from solar power, and 2.02% of the United States’ total energy consumption came from solar power.
References
- “Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024.” International Renewable Energy Agency. Evaluated March 31, 2024.Link Here
- “Renewables 2023.” International Energy Agency. Evaluated March 31, 2024.Link Here
- “Renewable energy consumption worldwide from 2000 to 2022.” Statista. Evaluated March 31, 2024.Link Here
- Wood, J. “The world added 50% more renewable capacity last year than in 2022.” World Economic Forum. Evaluated March 31, 2024.Link Here
- “Distribution of renewable energy consumption worldwide in 2022, by country.” Statista. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
- “Leading countries by solar energy consumption worldwide in 2022.” Statista. Evaluated March 31, 2024.Link Here
- “Statistical Review of World Energy (2023).” Energy Institute. Evaluated March 31, 2024.Link Here
- “Yearly electricity data.” Ember. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
- “Electricity.” IEA. Evaluated April 5, 2024.Link Here
- “Investment in renewable energy technologies worldwide in 2022, by sector.” Statista. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
- Hilton, I. “How China Became the World’s Leader on Renewable Energy.” Yale Environment 360. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
- “Solar Power in the US - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029).” IBISWorld. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
- Antonio, K. “Solar and wind to lead growth of U.S. power generation for the next two years.” U.S. Energy Information Administration. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
- “Africa Energy Outlook 2022.” International Energy Agency. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
- Neumeister, K. “Solar vs wind power: The ultimate showdown.” World Economic Forum. Evaluated April 1, 2024.Link Here
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