Tracking report
Solar PV
Tracking progress 2020
Solar
Solar energy is the conversion of sunlight into usable energy forms. Solar photovoltaics (PV), solar thermal electricity and solar heating and cooling are well established solar technologies.
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Solar PV combines two advantages: module manufacturing can be done in large plants, which allows for economies of scale, and it is also a very modular technology and can be deployed in very small quantities at a time. This allows for a wide range of applications. Systems can be very small, from personal electronics or off-grid applications, up to utility-scale power generation facilities.
Last updated Jun 16, 2020
Key findings
Renewable capacity growth between 2019 and 2024 by technology
OpenSolar PV drives strong rebound in renewable capacity additions
In the IEA's latest 5-year forecast, renewable power capacity is set to expand by 50% between 2019 and 2024, led by solar PV. This increase of 1 200 GW is equivalent to the total installed power capacity of the United States today. Solar PV alone accounts for almost 60% of the expected growth, with onshore wind representing one-quarter.
Solar PV power generation in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2030
OpenSolar PV is on track with the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario
Solar PV generation increased 22% (+131 TWh) in 2019 and represented the second-largest absolute generation growth of all renewable technologies, slightly behind wind and ahead of hydropower. Despite decelerating growth due to recent policy changes and uncertainties in China (the largest PV market globally), 2019 was a year of record global growth in PV capacity. As competitiveness continues to improve, solar PV is still on track to reach the levels envisioned in the SDS, which will require average annual growth of 15% between 2019 and 2030.
Concentrating solar power generation in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2030
OpenEmphasising plant storage value will be key to attracting investment for concentrating solar power
CSP generation increased by an estimated 34% in 2019. Although this growth is exceptionally high, CSP is still not on track with the SDS, which requires annual average growth of almost 24% through 2030. Policy designs that emphasise the value of CSP plant storage will be key to attract additional investment.
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Technology report
Seven Women Entrepreneurs of Solar Energy
Events
21 Oct 2019
Renewables 2019
20 Jun 2018
Systems Integration Side Event
28 Mar 2017
Scaling-up renewables through decentralised energy solutions
7 Feb 2017
