The Giant Solar Power Plant, Holding a Capacity of 1 Terawatt, Focuses Nearly Half of the Sun's Energy
In a groundbreaking year for renewable energy, the world added an impressive 602 Gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in 2024, marking a significant increase from the 456 GW added in the previous year and more than double the 242 GW added in 2022. This surge has placed solar energy at the forefront of global energy demand, despite occasional challenges such as curtailment.
The four main markets driving this solar energy revolution are China, the European Union, the United States, and India. Among these, China stands out as a solar powerhouse, having reached 1 Terawatt (TW) of installed solar capacity, making it home to the world's largest solar plant. China alone installed a staggering 357.3 GW of new solar capacity in 2024, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global total.
India, another key player, nearly doubled its solar capacity in 2024, installing 31.9 GW, a significant leap from the previous year's amount. Meanwhile, Germany, while remaining a solar powerhouse, has been overtaken by China in terms of installed capacity.
The report underscores the importance of energy storage in making the grid more stable and preventing energy loss. As such, countries are focusing not only on generating solar energy but also on storing it effectively. In China, battery storage systems are predominantly used to store the vast solar power output, with their share of the installed storage capacity rising to approximately 60% in 2025, while the share of pumped hydro storage has decreased to around 37%.
The problem of curtailment, where excess solar energy is turned off, has sparked a debate about the importance of energy storage. To address this issue, it's necessary to invest in improving electrical grids and installing storage systems, such as batteries.
Solar energy's appeal lies in its ability to provide energy for free and in an environmentally friendly manner. In fact, solar energy covered more than 10% of global energy demand for the first time in 2024. Renewable energies, including solar, are becoming increasingly popular due to their sustainable nature and potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Notable developments in 2024 include Pakistan adding a record 17 GW of new solar capacity and Chile experiencing a 3.3% reduction in solar energy output due to grid problems.
Despite these challenges, solar energy's infinite potential, stemming from the sun's inexhaustible nature, ensures its continued growth and importance in the global energy landscape. As countries continue to invest in solar energy and energy storage solutions, the future looks bright for this clean, renewable source of power.
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