Wired for Sunshine: Top Solar Power Nations Ranked (2018 to 2023)
In recent years, the global shift towards sustainable energy has positioned solar power as a pivotal pillar in the quest for decarbonisation and a crucial component of the renewable energy landscape. Countries around the world are increasingly harnessing the power of the sun to meet their energy needs, reduce carbon emissions, and foster economic growth by investing heavily in solar infrastructure. Here, we delve into the top ranking countries in solar power installations from 2018 to 2023 to gain insight into the dynamic nature of the solar energy sector and the global leaders spearheading this green revolution.
2018
In 2018, China solidified its position as the global leader in solar energy with an impressive 175,261.9 MW of installed capacity. This dominance was driven by supportive government policies, substantial subsidies, and ambitious targets under the 13th Five-Year Plan to reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable energy usage. Technological advancements and cost reductions in solar PV technology further encouraged significant investments in large-scale solar projects.
Japan followed with 56,162.0 MW, driven by favourable feed in tariffs (FiTs) and a determination to reduce nuclear dependency after the Fukushima disaster and boost energy security. Meanwhile, the USA ranked third, reaching 51,987.0 MW, fuelled by falling solar technology costs, increased residential PV installations, federal tax incentives like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and state policies such as renewable portfolio standards (RPS).
Germany, with 45,158.0 MW, continued to grow under its robust regulatory framework, including the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), while India’s 27,484.7 MW growth was propelled by ambitious national targets and the National Solar Mission. Other key contributors included Italy (20,113.7 MW) and the UK (13,063.0 MW). Australia (11,365.0 MW) saw its solar capacity grow due to the development of utility-scale solar farms and an increase in rooftop solar installations. France (9,651.0 MW) and South Korea (8,921.0 MW).
2019
Again, China took the lead in 2019, reaching 204,970.8 MW. This growth was fuelled by robust government backing, the ongoing popularity of residential solar PV installations, technological advancements, and substantial investments in extensive solar farms. Japan's capacity climbed to 63,192.0 MW, supported by the Feed in Tariff (FiT) system, favourable national policies and technological innovations like floating solar plants. The USA saw its capacity rise to 61,587.2 MW, benefiting from federal tax credits, state initiatives, reduced solar costs, utility-scale project growth, and increased corporate procurement of renewable energy.
Germany's solar capacity expanded to 49,914.0 MW, aided by stable regulatory frameworks and high investment in solar infrastructure while India’s installed solar capacity surged to 35,502.0 MW. Italy (20,763 MW) and Australia (16,147 MW) experienced substantial increases in their solar capacities, with Australia's growth driven mostly by government incentives such as the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), the proliferation of small-scale solar systems, and declining solar system costs. The UK (13,345 MW), South Korea (12,217 MW) and Spain (11,111 MW) made significant strides as well.
2020
Despite the global challenges posed by the pandemic in 2020, the solar sector demonstrated remarkable resilience. China's capacity soared to 253,864 MW, driven by competitive auctions, large-scale utility projects, measures like floating solar power plants and the urgency to meet subsidy deadlines. The USA, surpassing Japan, reached 76,441 MW, propelled by declining costs, increased residential installations, national initiatives such as the ITC extension, corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs), and a surge in utility-scale installations and long-term contracts. Although Japan was surpassed, its capacity increased to 71,868 MW, bolstered by government incentives, policy frameworks and advancements in PV technology.
Germany continued its upward trajectory, totalling 53,671 MW, supported by favourable policy measures, subsidies and community solar projects. India's capacity climbed to 39,706 MW, reflecting the impact of national policies, a mission based approach, clean power auctions and international investments. Again, marked contributors to the global solar landscape included Italy (21,656 MW) and Australia (20,838 MW) where growth was spurred on by federal government initiatives, including rebates and subsidies, a surge in residential, particularly rooftop solar systems and the expansion of large-scale projects such as Nevertire, Bomen and Darlington Point Solar farms. South Korea (17,323 MW), and the UK (13,551 MW) also saw considerable growth, while, Vietnam emerged as a new contender with 16,661.5 MW, driven by ambitious targets, favourable government policies, economic incentives, such as the extension of FiTs and rooftop installations.
2021
The global solar power race showed no signs of slowing in 2021 either. China reached a new milestone of 306,973 MW solar capacity despite the phase out of subsidies. This impressive accomplishment can largely be attributed to sustained policy support, advancements in PV technology, the development of massive utility-scale projects, the expansion of distributed PV applications and increased solar storage integration. The USA maintained its second place, with 95,391 MW, facilitated by declining costs, and decarbonisation initiatives at both state and federal levels, including the extension of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which encouraged both utility-scale growth and a surge in residential installations. Japan achieved 78,413 MW, supported by strong policy frameworks. Germany’s capacity increased to 60,038 MW, thanks to government auctions accelerating utility-scale installations, while feed-in tariffs and remuneration schemes for excess electricity boosted distributed PV deployment and encouraged self-consumption. India ranked fifth at 49,950 MW, due to the completion of numerous large-scale projects in response to international funding and government policies and incentives such as expiration of safeguard duties, and the impending implementation of the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on solar modules.
Australia’s capacity grew to 25,757 MW, supported by declining PV system costs, federal and state policies such as the Renewable Energy Target (RET), renewable energy auctions, feed-in tariffs, and interest-free loans which resulted in a boom of rooftop solar installations, while ambitious sustainability goals were set by many industries which further boosted demand for and investments in solar farms and battery storage facilities. Italy (22,600 MW) and South Korea (21,264 MW) also experienced substantial growth. Vietnam maintained its position in the top 10 with 16,662 MW, spurred on by its commitment to adding more solar energy to the country's energy mix, generous FiTs, and supportive government policies such as tax and land-lease payment exemptions. Spain, at 16,019 MW, benefited from government incentives and a surge in residential self-consumption installations as industries and households sought to reduce electricity bills amid escalating energy prices.
2022
By 2022, China’s solar capacity skyrocketed to an astounding 393,031.8 MW, driven by ambitious renewable energy targets, continued implementation of supportive government policies, the expansion of large-scale solar power plants in remote areas, such as deserts, widespread distributed rooftop solar installations in rural areas encouraged by programs like the Solar Energy Poverty Alleviation Program (SEPAP), advancements in solar technology, and falling costs that made solar installations increasingly economically attractive. The USA followed with 114,360.9 MW, benefiting from the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which included grants, loans, and tax credit expansions, policies such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), corporate PPAs and expanding community solar projects. Japan's solar capacity grew to 83,057.0 MW, spurred on by national PV targets outlined in The Sixth Strategic Energy Plan, and the expansion of solar energy in the commercial and industrial sectors through innovative business models such as third-party ownership of solar installations and off-site PPAs.
Germany was in fourth place at 67,479 MW, propelled by government climate goals, the European energy crisis and geopolitical tensions which made solar energy a more attractive and secure alternative. India made remarkable progress, reaching 63,390 MW through government policies, including net metering, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the basic customs duty (BCD) on solar imports, The "Make in India" initiative which boosted domestic manufacturing and large-scale solar projects. Australia also experienced significant growth, with its capacity surging to 29,958 MW, bolstered by large-scale battery projects due to advancements in battery storage technology, and improved integration of solar power with storage solutions. This expansion was further supported by more robust federal, state, and local policies following the 2022 federal government change. Amid high electricity prices, the energy crisis, and increased electricity consumption from remote work, the relatively low cost of PV systems made solar power an economically attractive option.
Spain grew its capacity to 25,615 MW, fuelled by proactive government and local measures as well as the energy crisis, which drove up electricity prices and made rooftop self-consumption solar installations an attractive and cost-effective solution for industrial, residential, and commercial users. Brazil made its debut in the top 10, with 24,078 MW installed solar capacity. This growth was fueled by high electricity prices, falling costs of PV modules, and government incentives like net metering tariffs for distributed PV systems. Italy (24,561 MW) and South Korea (24,078 MW) continued to expand their capacities.
2023
In 2023 China achieved an unprecedented 609,921 MW propelled by ambitious renewable energy targets as part of its 14th Five-Year Plan, sustained policy support, impressive investments in utility-scale projects, advancements in solar PV technology, and the resulting decrease in the cost of solar panels. The USA reached 139,205 MW, bolstered by government incentives and state policies such as The Inflation Reduction Act, and a surge in utility-scale installations. Japan continued its upward trajectory, reaching 87,068 MW, fuelled by ongoing policy support, favourable FiT rates, and regional and municipal mandates for installing solar panels on new buildings. Germany, attained 81,739 MW of solar capacity, benefiting from various government policies, incentives and regulations and an increased demand for residential rooftop solar systems.
India's capacity saw substantial growth, climbing to 73,109 MW, thanks to strategic government initiatives such as reducing the import taxes and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on solar panels, permitting 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and decreasing module prices. This expansion was further fuelled by large-scale projects due to increased demand from energy intensive industries like steel, cement, and aluminium. Brazil's growth continued, totalling 37,449 MW, driven by government incentives such as net metering, decreasing costs of solar panels, and high solar irradiance levels, making solar energy more appealing and affordable for both residential and commercial users.
Australia achieved 33,683 MW installed solar capacity, spurred on by ambitious renewable energy targets, various federal and state policies, programs and incentives such as ongoing solar rebates and the Commonwealth Large-scale Renewable Energy Target, state level auctions, improvements in storage and grid infrastructure and significant electricity and gas price hikes, which encouraged rooftop solar installations by households and businesses, while corporations and institutions installed large-scale solar systems to meet decarbonisation commitments. Spain (31,016 MW), Italy (29,795 MW), and South Korea (27,046 MW) also demonstrated robust growth.
Solar Energy Prospects
The extraordinary growth of solar capacity installations and the monumental efforts of these nations emphasise the critical role of policy support, technological innovation, and investment in achieving sustainable energy goals. As countries continue to prioritise renewable energy and decarbonisation, the solar sector is poised for even greater achievements, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable, and energy secure future.
Our Role in Solar Energy
At Eland Cables, we understand the critical importance of robust infrastructure in supporting the global solar energy boom. Our range of solar cables, designed for durability, safety and efficiency, play a crucial role in the installation and maintenance of solar power systems worldwide. Whether for commercial or grid-scale solar projects, Eland Cables offers the expertise and products to meet the demands of this growing industry. We are proud to support this green revolution by providing essential components that ensure seamless integration and reliable performance of solar power systems. At the forefront of this transition, we deliver industry leading products and solutions for efficient power transmission.
Together, we can power a sustainable future.
