Many governments have set ambitious targets around achieving net zero and transitioning to renewable energy. The three major renewable energy sources are wind, hydropower (water, including tidal) and solar.
Solar energy is perhaps now the fastest-growing of the three mentioned above. Over the past few years, energy from solar has been responsible for around three-quarters of the overall renewable energy capacity increase.
The Power of Sunlight as an Energy Source
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Generating 3,000 kWh from solar panels, as opposed to from a power station that runs on gas, can save more than a tonne of CO2 emissions.
Global Solar Capacity
By the end of 2023, the world’s total solar capacity reached an impressive 1.6 terawatts (TW). Such is the current (and expected) rate of growth, this figure is predicted to exceed 4.5 TW by 2050.
Global Leaders
China leads the way when it comes to solar energy and is in fact likely to meet its own 2030 solar targets six years early. In 2022, China’s total solar power capacity exceeded 600 GW.
The second largest contributor is the USA. In Europe, Greece, Hungary and Spain lead the pack.
Solar Energy in the UK
More than a million homes across the UK now utilise solar power. As of the end of March 2024, the UK’s total solar capacity was around 15.8 GW.
Solar panel installation in Portishead
If you are interested in adding solar panels to your property, there are a number of specialist installers who offer solar panel installation Portishead and the nearby areas. A number of these, such as https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installers-portishead, also have useful online resources for you to read.
Economic Benefit
As well as the obvious environmental benefits, the solar industry is an increasingly large employer, boosting economic growth and helping reduce unemployment. In the UK alone, there are more than 6,000 people employed in the sector – a number that will only increase.
