The world crossed a major solar milestone. No one noticed

In 2012, solar power had reached 100 gigawatts worldwide, a significant milestone. The journey to 1 terawatt took 10 years, but a further 1 terawatt was added within just three years. By 2026, the world had crossed the 3-terawatt mark, a figure that went largely unnoticed by the public. Solar panels are now commonly seen on trains in the UK, a clear indicator of the increased deployment.

Experts believe that by 2036, the 3-terawatt threshold will appear almost insignificant, with projections of more than 9 terawatts of solar power being deployed globally. However, the growth in solar power has not been uniformly distributed. While China has largely driven this global trend, other countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines have seen rapid increases in rooftop solar installations.

The number of countries with at least 1 gigawatt of solar power has grown to 74 in 2023, compared to 42 in 2020. China's rapid deployment has led to more curtailment of solar production during peak hours, resulting in wasted resources. This has prompted analysts to expect a slowdown in China's solar buildout. To address this, China has announced plans to focus more on increasing renewable consumption rather than production.

The share of solar deployment in developing countries is expected to increase, with more than a quarter of all solar power being deployed in these regions by 2036. This growth, however, is contingent on improved financing and the presence of energy storage solutions. Without batteries, the solar boom may face limitations as countries approach the theoretical upper limit of solar power that can be added to the grid.