According to a recent industry report, global rooftop solar capacity saw a 49% growth in 2022.
Overall, installed rooftop solar capacity increased from 79 gigawatts to 118 gigawatts last year and is projected to reach 159 gigawatts by the end of this year, according to SolarPower Europe, an industry association.
Total installed solar capacity, including both rooftop installations and large-scale arrays, rose from 940 gigawatts to 1,177 gigawatts last year and is projected to reach 1,518 gigawatts later this year. Globally, solar energy will generate enough power in 2023 to meet over half of the European Union's electricity demand, as stated in the report.
Analysts caution that the continued growth of solar energy will depend on the development of larger energy storage capacities to manage fluctuations in solar output. Countries will also need to upgrade their power grids to transport surplus solar energy from generation sites to areas of demand. The report found that grid bottlenecks are impeding further solar development in 20 out of the 26 major solar-producing countries.
"We are installing significant amounts of solar energy, and we need to be able to utilize it when needed," said Michael Schmela, Director of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe. "Governments worldwide need to prioritize the modernization of their electricity and storage infrastructure."
This significant growth in rooftop solar capacity represents an important step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Solar energy is becoming increasingly accessible and efficient, playing a crucial role in the transition to a low-carbon society.
Source: Y360