Solar power generation in the U.S. 2000-2024 Share of solar electricity production in the U.S. 2010-2024 Solar energy penetration share in the U.S. in 2023, by state
PV conversion efficiency is the percentage of solar energy that is converted to electricity. 7 Though the average efficiency of solar panels available today is 21% 8, some researchers have developed PV modules with efficiencies near 40% 9.
According to our Electric Power Annual, solar power accounted for 3% of U.S. electricity generation from all sources in 2020. In our Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast that solar will account for 4% of U.S. electricity
The following table ranks the best and worst states for solar energy production (shown in thousand megawatt-hours) in April and May, number 1 represents the best state for
Weight of solar and wind in electricity production data. Data for solar and wind renewable energies in electricity production available in a map and excel file by country level.
Ember (2025); Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. "Share of electricity generated by solar and wind power" [dataset].
The chart below shows the percentage of global electricity production that comes from nuclear or renewable energy, such as solar, wind, hydropower, wind and tidal, and some biomass.
Solar energy accounted for some 6.91 percent of electricity generation in the United States in 2024, up from a 5.62 percent share a year earlier.
A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data in two new end-of-the-year reports just released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reveals that the
The electricity mix comprises coal, oil, gas, nuclear, hydropower, solar, and wind sources. In 2023, solar energy accounted for approximately 5. 5% of global electricity
The utilization of renewable energy as a future energy resource is drawing significant attention worldwide. The contribution of solar energy (including concentrating solar
Solar power is a clean, cheap and long-term energy source. The U.S. solar energy sector is experiencing rapid expansion, with a 3.5% increase in solar energy jobs between 2021 and 2022.
On average, 173,000 TW of solar radiation continuously strike the Earth 4, while global electricity demand averages 3.0 TW 5. Electricity demand peaks at a different time than PV generation, leading to energy surpluses and deficits.
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
Luxembourg (17.9%), Yemen (15.4%), and Chile (12.9%) are the countries that produce the highest percentage of their electricity from solar, according to the latest Ember
According to our Electric Power Annual, solar power accounted for 3% of U.S. electricity generation from all sources in 2020. In our Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast
The contribution of solar energy (including concentrating solar power (CSP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) power) to global electricity production, as one form of renewable energy
The share of wind and solar combined reached 18%, just ahead of the global average of 15% and above its neighbours Japan (11%) and South Korea (6%). The biggest shift in China''s electricity generation in 2024 was the
Over the past 12 months, solar photovoltaic sources accounted for more than 6.8% of all electricity generated in the U.S., up from 5.5% in 2023, a 24% year-over-year
America''s capacity to generate carbon-free electricity grew during 2023 — part of a decade-long growth trend for renewable energy. Solar and wind account for more of our nation''s energy mix
Is solar power worth it? It starts with understanding how much energy a solar panel actually produces. Uncover the real numbers, calculate your potential savings, and make an informed
Solar power is a clean, cheap and long-term energy source. The U.S. solar energy sector is experiencing rapid expansion, with a 3.5% increase in solar energy jobs
In 2021, solar energy accounted for more than 33% of the state''s renewable electricity production. That year, almost all of the solar energy came from utility-scale facilities.
Solar energy also prevents the negative impacts of fossil fuels, such as greenhouse gas emissions from coal consumption. The use of solar power is increasing worldwide. By the end
Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. "Annual percentage change in solar power consumption"
The amount of energy produced in 2023 by large solar projects was 130 percent more than the U.S. generated five years ago, and 16 percent more than in 2022, according to preliminary EIA data.
According to our Electric Power Annual, solar power accounted for 3% of U.S. electricity generation from all sources in 2020. In our Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast that solar will account for 4% of U.S. electricity generation in 2021 and 5% in 2022.
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.
Luxembourg (17.9%), Yemen (15.4%), and Chile (12.9%) are the countries that produce the highest percentage of their electricity from solar, according to the latest Ember Climate data from 2021. Jordan (11.7%) and Australia (10.9%) are next on the list. All of these countries are above the world average of 3.7%.
In our Short-Term Energy Outlook, we forecast that solar will account for 4% of U.S. electricity generation in 2021 and 5% in 2022. In our Annual Energy Outlook 2021 (AEO2021) Reference case, which assumes no change in current laws and regulations, we project that solar generation will make up 14% of the U.S. total in 2035 and 20% in 2050.
While the contribution of solar energy to global electricity production remains generally low at 3.6%, it has firmly established itself among other renewable energy technologies, comprising nearly 31% of the total installed renewable energy capacity in 2022 (IRENA, 2023).
4.4% of our global energy comes from solar power. China generates more solar energy than any other country, with a current capacity of 308.5 GW. The US relies on solar for 3.9% of its energy, although this share is increasing rapidly every year. 3.2 million US homes have solar panels installed.
