Solar photovoltaic power generation growth space

Is solar photovoltaics ready for the future?

Solar photovoltaics (PV) is a mature technology ready to contribute to this challenge. Throughout the last decade, a higher capacity of solar PV was installed globally than any other power-generation technology and cumulative capacity at the end of 2019 accounted for more than 600 GW.

Is solar PV the fastest growing energy technology in 2021?

With a 37% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), solar PV emerged as the fastest growing energy technology and the one with the brightest prospects. The market size in 2021 represents a 18% increase from 2020 and a 445% growth compared to 10 years earlier.

Is solar PV a competitive source of new power generation capacity?

Solar PV is emerging as one of the most competitive sources of new power generation capacity after a decade of dramatic cost declines. A decline of 74% in total installed costs was observed between 2010 and 2018 (Figure 10).

Does the availability of raw materials limit the growth of solar PV?

For instance, Creutzig et al. 12 found that implementing this strategy in REMIND, a specific IAM, resulted in solar PV covering 30%–50% of global electricity demand in 2050 (compared with 5%–17% share in previous results 68). The availability of raw materials is not a real issue that limits the growth of PV manufacturing.

Will solar PV capacity increase in 2050?

In annual growth terms, an almost threefold rise in yearly solar PV capacity additions is needed by 2030 (to 270 GW per year) and a fourfold rise by 2050 (to 372 GW per year), compared to current levels (94 GW added in 2018).

How much energy will solar PV produce a year?

Keeping a 50% annual growth for 9 additional years would mean producing ~34,000 TWh (more than the global electricity demand in 2019, which accounted for ~27,000TWh 2). This highlights the large potential for solar PV expansion.