4.7% of global electricity is generated from Solar
What is Solar?
Solar power is the conversion of energy from sunlight into electricity. This can be done directly using the photovoltaic effect or indirectly using concentrated solar power.
Is Solar a low-carbon energy source?
Yes, due to its relatively low lifecycle emissions, Solar is considered to be a low-carbon energy source.
The median estimate of lifecycle emissions from Solar is 45 gCO2eq / kWh. Where do our emissions numbers come from?
| Wind | 11 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Nuclear | 12 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Hydropower | 24 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Geothermal | 38 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Solar | 45 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Biofuels | 230 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Gas | 490 gCO2eq / kWh | High-carbon / fossil fuel |
| Oil | 650 gCO2eq / kWh | High-carbon / fossil fuel |
| Coal | 820 gCO2eq / kWh | High-carbon / fossil fuel |
Solar compared to other low-carbon energy electricity sources
Most significant producers of electricity from Solar
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