New Record in Solar Generation

21 June, Summer Solstice

On the recent summer solstice, 21 June, the world reached a new milestone in solar energy generation.

According to the consultancy Ember (https://ember-climate.org/insights/in-brief/the-global-solar-revolution/), during midday peaks, 20% of global electricity came from this renewable source, marking a notable increase compared to last year's 16%. It is estimated that throughout the entire day, solar energy provided 8.2% of the world's electrical generation.

This is yet another indication of how solar energy has experienced accelerated growth in recent years, becoming the fastest-growing energy source globally. In 2023, solar energy generated a record 5.5% of the world's electricity, a figure that continues to rise and is expected to exceed 8% this year.

Summer Solar Peaks: The Potential of the Northern Hemisphere

The greatest boost in solar generation occurs during the summer months of the Northern Hemisphere, where Ember estimates that 89% of the world's installed solar panel capacity is concentrated.

The forecast for June this year is 8.2%, compared to 6.7% recorded in June 2023. In absolute terms, Ember expects solar energy to increase by 28%, from 157 TWh in June 2023 to 201 TWh in June 2024.

Spain, an Example of Leadership in Solar Energy

Spain has established itself as a powerhouse in the field of Solar energy. Our country ranked eighth in the world in terms of total solar generation, sixth in the share of solar energy in its energy mix, and third in per capita solar generation in 2023. It is expected that, in June 2024, the solar energy share in Spain will reach an impressive 30%, consolidating its position as a leader in renewable energy adoption in Europe.

In comparison, the European Union, a global leader in wind and solar energy, is projected to reach a 20% share of solar energy in June 2024. Annually, the EU had a 9.2% share of solar energy in 2023, while in China, the world's largest solar market, solar energy accounted for 6.2% of total electrical generation.

Meanwhile, the United States and India are also making significant strides in the field of solar energy. Both countries are expected to reach a solar share of 6.9% and 7.1% respectively in June 2024. Although these figures are slightly below the global average of 8.2%, they represent continuous growth in the adoption of this clean and renewable technology.

Rapid Global Expansion of Solar Energy

According to Ember, no other source of electricity has grown from 100 TWh to 1,000 TWh of generation faster than solar energy. Solar energy took only 8 years, placing it ahead of wind (12 years) and far ahead of gas (28 years), coal (32 years), and hydroelectric power (39 years).

According to Ember, no other source of electricity has grown from 100 TWh to 1,000 TWh of generation faster than solar energy. Solar energy took only 8 years, placing it ahead of wind (12 years) and far ahead of gas (28 years), coal (32 years), and hydroelectric power (39 years).

This rapid growth of solar energy is not limited to just a few regions of the world. Countries with diverse geographies and levels of economic development are significantly increasing their solar capacity. In 2023, more than two million solar panels were installed per day on average, allowing 34 economies to generate more than 10% of their electricity from solar energy, an increase from 26 economies the previous year.

However, despite the significant progress, many countries with great solar potential have not yet fully tapped into this energy source. While leaders such as Australia and Spain generate nearly 20% of their electricity from solar energy, 66% of countries produce less than 5%. This highlights the need to address the financial and logistical challenges these countries face to increase solar energy adoption.

Furthermore, the fact that even countries with relatively poor insolation, such as Germany (12%) and the Netherlands (17%), achieve high solar energy generation, further underscores the potential of this energy regardless of natural endowments.

The summer solstice of 2024 has made it clear the potential solar energy has to play a crucial role in the transition towards a more sustainable energy mix. With favourable policies and technological advancements, solar energy promises to remain a driving force in the fight against climate change and in creating a cleaner and more efficient future.