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As the world increasingly turns to renewable resources for energy, solar power has emerged as a leading force in the global shift. To support this transition, governments and international bodies provide various incentives, including subsidies and trade tariffs, to boost investment in the solar energy sector. The top 10 solar energy-producing countries are China, the United States, Japan, Germany, India, Italy, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France. Among them, China leads the pack, followed by the U.S., Japan, and Germany.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world’s top solar energy producers, examining their energy output, the largest solar power plants in each nation, and the role of government policies in driving solar energy growth.
Solar Energy-Producing Countries
Nations that have prioritised solar energy in their renewable energy strategies now lead the global solar power landscape. China remains at the forefront, driven by its robust manufacturing sector and favourable policies, and holds the world’s largest installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The United States and India follow closely, having made substantial investments in solar infrastructure to support sustainable energy goals.
Japan and Germany have shown impressive advancements, leveraging cutting-edge technology and strong regulatory frameworks to overcome less-than-ideal solar conditions. Meanwhile, South Korea and France are focusing on solar innovation, and Italy, Australia, and Spain are capitalising on their abundant sunlight to accelerate solar energy adoption.
The table below showcases the top 10 leading countries in solar energy production, along with their total output and details of their largest solar power plants.
| Rank | Countries | Solar energy production | Largest solar power project |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 250 GW | Tengger Desert Solar Park |
| 2 | United States | 90 GW | Solar Star |
| 3 | Japan | 70 GW | Setouchi Kirei Solar Power Plant |
| 4 | Germany | 50 GW | Lieberose Solar Park |
| 5 | India | 40 GW | Bhadla Solar Park |
| 6 | Italy | 20 GW | Montalto di Castro Solar Park |
| 7 | Australia | 15 GW | Sunraysia Solar Farm |
| 8 | United Kingdom | 10 GW | Cleve Hill Solar Park |
| 9 | South Korea | 10 GW | SinAn Solar Power Plant |
| 10 | France | 10 GW | Cestas Solar Park |
1. China
China leads the world in solar energy production, securing its top spot through significant investments in solar power plant installations and infrastructure development.
- Western China, with its vast stretches of sparsely populated and underutilised land, offers ideal conditions for large-scale solar energy generation. The country produces approximately 250 gigawatt-hours of electricity, with major solar hubs located in Gansu, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, and Jiangsu provinces.
- China’s most extensive solar power installation is the Tengger Desert Solar Park, located in Zhongwei, Ningxia. This massive project boasts a generation capacity exceeding 1,500 megawatts (MW).
- China’s expanding network of solar farms is significantly strengthening its renewable energy portfolio, positioning solar power as one of the nation’s key renewable energy sources.
- Supportive government initiatives like Feed-in Tariffs, Renewable Energy Quota Systems, and subsidies for solar farm development are playing a crucial role in driving the growth of solar energy in China.
2. United States
The United States ranks second among the world’s top solar energy producers, benefiting from abundant sunlight across various states and favourable regulations that support its solar energy growth.
- Much of the United States boasts vast, flat landscapes, making it an ideal location for maximising sunlight exposure throughout the day. The country generates approximately 90 gigawatt-hours of electricity from solar energy. California, Arizona, and Texas have seen substantial growth in solar projects, and these states contribute the most to the nation’s solar energy production.
- The United States’ largest solar power facility is Solar Star, located in Kern and Los Angeles Counties, California. This impressive installation has a generation capacity of 747 megawatts (MW).
- Advancements in technology and decreasing installation costs have greatly accelerated the adoption of solar energy across the United States.
- The federal government has introduced various subsidies and tax incentives to promote solar project installations. These include the Investment Tax Credit, Renewable Portfolio Standards, and net metering, which allows consumers to earn credits for any excess electricity they generate.
3. Japan
Japan holds the position as the third-largest producer of solar energy worldwide. The country has achieved this remarkable feat by implementing innovative rooftop solar panels, allowing it to effectively harness solar power despite limited natural resources.
- Despite Japan’s limited space and high population density, the country has actively promoted rooftop solar panel installations to harness solar energy. Japan now produces over 70 gigawatt-hours of electricity from solar power. In the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan intensified its transition to solar energy to ensure a more sustainable and secure energy future.
- Japan’s largest solar power installation is the Setouchi Kirei Solar Power Plant, located in Okayama Prefecture. With a capacity of approximately 235 megawatts (MW), it stands as a major contributor to the country’s solar energy production.
- Japan’s dedicated focus on clean energy has established it as a key player in the global solar energy sector.
- The Japanese government regularly provides low-interest loans and grants to support the establishment of solar farms, along with exemptions for owners to incentivise the adoption of solar energy.
4. Germany
Germany holds the fourth spot globally in solar energy production, with a longstanding commitment to promoting renewable energy.
- Germany’s focus on decentralised energy production has significantly boosted solar energy generation. The country now produces approximately 50 gigawatts of solar power, with Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate being the leading contributors to this output.
- Germany’s largest solar power facility is the Lieberose Solar Park, located in Brandenburg, with a capacity of approximately 71.8 megawatts (MW).
- Despite having limited sunlight throughout the year, Germany’s commitment to maximising solar energy serves as a global model for renewable energy adoption.
- The German government actively promotes investment in the solar energy sector by providing subsidies, tax exemptions, and tariffs, making it an attractive option for investors.
5. India
India ranks as the fifth-largest solar energy producer globally, with remarkable growth in the sector over the past few years.
- India’s varied geography provides ample sunlight, making it ideal for solar energy production. The country generates approximately 40 gigawatts of solar power, with Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka being the leading contributors to this output.
- India’s largest solar power facility is the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, boasting a capacity of over 2,245 megawatts (MW), making it a key source of electricity for the state.
- India has introduced off-grid solar solutions to address the energy needs of rural areas, showcasing the country’s commitment to advancing solar technology. This initiative is poised to improve the socioeconomic conditions of rural communities by providing sustainable and reliable energy sources.
- The government has introduced several schemes and policies to support both private and public companies in launching solar power ventures. Moreover, it offers subsidies on the manufacturing costs of solar panels to encourage growth in the sector.
6. Italy
Italy holds the position of the sixth-largest solar energy producer globally, benefiting from its ideal climate and landscape for solar power generation.
- India’s commitment to clean energy is driving the country to increase its solar power production as a sustainable source of green energy. Currently, India generates around 20 gigawatts of solar power, with significant potential for further expansion in the future.
- Italy’s largest solar power installation is the Montalto di Castro Solar Park in Lazio, with a capacity of 84.2 megawatts (MW). While the project is still under development, it is expected to be fully operational by 2025.
- Italy’s dedication to shifting towards renewable energy and addressing the impacts of climate change caused by resource overexploitation has helped Europe make significant progress toward its green energy objectives.
- Feed-in tariffs and net metering programs have played a key role in encouraging the adoption of solar PV systems in both the residential and commercial sectors nationwide.
7. Australia
Australia holds the position of the seventh-largest solar energy producer worldwide, thanks to its vast landscapes and plentiful sunlight, making it ideal for solar power generation.
- Australia’s dedication to transitioning energy production to renewable resources has led to significant progress, with the country currently generating around 15 gigawatt-hours of solar energy.
- Australia’s largest solar power installation is the Sunraysia Solar Farm in New South Wales, capable of generating 255 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
- Australia’s vast landscape and remote communities have fueled the growth of off-grid solar energy projects, providing sustainable power to hard-to-reach areas.
- The Australian government has introduced key standards and initiatives, such as the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), which mandates that a certain percentage of the country’s electricity come from renewable sources. Additionally, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) plays a crucial role by funding renewable energy projects to support this transition.
8. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom holds the eighth spot globally in solar energy production, even though it has fewer solar resources compared to other leading countries.
- The United Kingdom produces around 10 gigawatts of solar energy, contributing a modest portion to its overall renewable energy output. The country is home to approximately 1,176 solar farms.
- The largest solar power installation in the UK is the Cleve Hill Solar Park, located in Kent, with the ability to generate up to 350 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
- In the United Kingdom, the adoption of advanced solar technology, coupled with a strong commitment to achieving zero emissions, is accelerating the growth of solar energy production.
- The UK government has introduced incentives such as the Feed-in Tariff scheme and Contracts for Difference auctions to promote the widespread adoption of solar panels across the country.
9. South Korea
South Korea holds the ninth position globally in solar energy production, driven by its strong emphasis on research, development, and cutting-edge technology.
- South Korea produces approximately 9.8 gigawatt-hours of solar energy, accounting for 14% of its total renewable energy output. In recent years, the country has installed around 19,600 solar power plants, with some still in the early stages of development.
- South Korea’s largest solar power project is the SinAn Solar Power Plant, located in SinAn, with a generation capacity of 98 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
- South Korea’s solar energy sector has seen steady growth in recent years, driven by significant investments in solar panel installation, manufacturing, and deployment.
- The government has implemented incentives such as the Renewable Portfolio Standard and solar feed-in tariffs to encourage the development of solar power plants across various sectors.
10. France
France ranks as the tenth-largest producer of solar energy worldwide. The country is steadily transitioning to renewable energy sources, with a growing focus on boosting solar energy production.
- France produces approximately 9.7 gigawatt-hours of solar energy, accounting for 37% of its total renewable energy output.
- France’s largest solar power facility is the Cestas Solar Park, located in Gironde, with a capacity of 300 megawatts. This park generates enough electricity to power the household needs (excluding heating) of 240,000 residents in Bordeaux.
- France is decentralising its energy production by installing rooftop solar panels, carports, and utilizing agricultural land for renewable energy. This transition is part of a broader effort to reduce the country’s reliance on nuclear power.
- The government has introduced tariffs and subsidies to encourage investment, production, and installation of solar photovoltaic panels across various sectors.
Conclusion
These top 10 countries are at the forefront of global solar energy production, demonstrating their dedication to renewable energy sources. Through technological advancements, government incentives, and significant investments, they are leading the charge toward a sustainable energy future.
