A new report from SolarPower Europe reveals that the world installed a record 597 GW of solar power in 2024.

The increase, a 33 per cent rise over 2023, pushed solar power to a total of over 2TW in late 2024, and the report predicts the world could be installing 1TW of solar per year by the end of the decade.

But while solar continues to grow globally, its distribution remains highly concentrated and uneven. In 2024, China alone added 329GW of solar capacity, over half of global installations.

After China, the countries with the highest installations last year were the US, India, Brazil and Germany.

Accounting for the regional differences, the Global Solar Council has accompanied the analysis with a number of policy recommendations. More advanced markets must focus on enhancing grid flexibility, adapting policy frameworks to the needs of variable renewables, prioritising battery storage, and streamlining permitting and grid-connection processes. For least developed countries, the key lies in bridging investment gaps. Across all regions, developing a skilled workforce and setting ambitious solar and storage targets are essential tasks.

Looking forward, the analysis extends through 2029 and includes a preliminary outlook for 2030. By the end of 2024, solar PV made up 46 per cent of global renewable capacity, with 2.2TW installed. By 2030, we expect global installed solar PV capacity to exceed 7TW by 2030. This would represent about 65 per cent of the total renewable capacity required to meet the 11TW global target.

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