How much solar energy does each country produce?

It is followed by the United States at 139,205 MW and Japan at 89,077 MW. However, total capacity is only one way to view solar production. Another method is to examine solar penetration—that is, the percentage of each country’s total energy consumption that comes from its solar installations.

Which country produces the most solar energy in the world?

As of 2023, China has the largest solar energy capacity in the world at 609,921 megawatts (MW), contributing approximately 3% to the country’s total electricity production. It is followed by the United States at 139,205 MW and Japan at 89,077 MW. However, total capacity is only one way to view solar production.

Which country has the second-highest solar power capacity in the world?

Note: As of 2023, if it were a single country, the European Union (EU) would have the second-highest solar capacity in the world at 263 MW. With 139,205 MW of solar power online and more on the way, the U.S. currently has enough solar power capacity to power more than 21 million households.

Where did solar energy come from?

The origin of modern solar cells can be traced back to 1954, when Bell Labs introduced the first PV device capable of producing a usable amount of electricity. The energy crisis of the 1970s resulted in a groundswell of interest in using solar energy to produce electricity for homes and businesses.

What percentage of US electricity is generated by solar power?

A report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that solar power accounted for 54% of new U.S. electricity generation capacity in 2023, with 22 states generating more than 5% of their electricity from solar, led by California at 28.2%.