6% of global electricity is generated from Solar

Solar energy is a clean and sustainable form of energy that harnesses the power of the sun. It is one of the most abundant and widely distributed energy sources available on Earth and is a cornerstone of the world's shift toward low-carbon electricity production. This abundant source of power, along with other green energy sources such as wind energy and nuclear power, represents the future of clean and sustainable electricity production.

To generate electricity from solar power, solar panels are utilized to capture sunlight. These panels consist of numerous photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight strikes these cells, it knocks electrons free from their atoms, triggering a flow of electricity. The produced electricity is direct current (DC) and is converted to alternating current (AC) via inverters to be used in domestic and industrial applications.

One of the significant advantages of solar energy is its low carbon intensity. The average carbon intensity of solar power is 45 gCO2eq/kWh, making it an environmentally friendly option for power generation. This is a stark contrast to fossil fuels such as coal and gas, which exhibit significantly higher carbon intensities (820 gCO2eq/kWh and 490 gCO2eq/kWh respectively), contributing to higher carbon emissions. Hence, wider adoption of solar energy along with other low-carbon technologies like wind and nuclear, which have even lower carbon footprints, can play a pivotal role in reducing global carbon emissions.

Solar energy is already making significant contributions to electricity generation across the globe, accounting for 5.62% of all electricity consumed. Particularly noteworthy is its adoption in several countries where it forms a substantial part of electricity generation. In Australia, approximately 18% of electricity is generated from solar. A similar picture is drawn in the Netherlands, where 18% of electricity comes from solar power.

The story continues in other parts of the world too. In Spain, 16% of electricity is generated from solar, while in Chile, this figure is 18%. Finally, Greece stands out with 19% of its electricity generated from solar power. This trend of increasing solar adoption serves as a promising sign for a future powered by clean, sustainable, and low-carbon sources of electricity, including wind and nuclear along with solar.