Global cumulative solar photovoltaic capacity has grown continuously since 2000. In 2020, global cumulative solar PV capacity amounted to 773.2 gigawatts, with 138 gigawatts of new PV capacity installed in that same year.
Solar photovoltaic market
The growth in the solar PV use represents a shift of global markets towards renewable and distributed energy technologies. As of 2019, China and the United States led the global PV market, with 204 and 76 gigawatts of cumulative solar PV capacity, respectively. However, Italy and Germany are the countries with the highest shares of electricity consumption covered by photovoltaic power.
Solar cells
Solar energy systems include solar photovoltaic panels, inverters, racking, and battery storages. Further, photovoltaic panels have different layers, including polysilicon, wafers, and solar cells. The technology and chemical elements used, as well as efficiency in converting sun energy into electricity in each different type of solar cell differ from one photovoltaic panel to another. First generation PV panels were made from mono-crystalline silicon and multi-crystalline silicon cells, followed by thin-film based solar cells (CdTe and CIGS) in the second generation. The third generation PV panels aim to combine high efficiency, greater life cycle, and thinner layers.
Cumulative installed solar PV capacity worldwide from 2000 to 2020
(in megawatts)
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SolarPower Europe. (July 20, 2021). Cumulative installed solar PV capacity worldwide from 2000 to 2020 (in megawatts) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/280220/global-cumulative-installed-solar-pv-capacity/
SolarPower Europe. "Cumulative installed solar PV capacity worldwide from 2000 to 2020 (in megawatts)." Chart. July 20, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 25, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/280220/global-cumulative-installed-solar-pv-capacity/
SolarPower Europe. (2021). Cumulative installed solar PV capacity worldwide from 2000 to 2020 (in megawatts). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 25, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/280220/global-cumulative-installed-solar-pv-capacity/
SolarPower Europe. "Cumulative Installed Solar Pv Capacity Worldwide from 2000 to 2020 (in Megawatts)." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jul 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/280220/global-cumulative-installed-solar-pv-capacity/
SolarPower Europe, Cumulative installed solar PV capacity worldwide from 2000 to 2020 (in megawatts) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/280220/global-cumulative-installed-solar-pv-capacity/ (last visited May 25, 2022)