Renewables are on the rise worldwide, a phenomenon in which solar energy is playing a particularly important part.
In 2022, global installations amounted to 268 GW of new solar capacity, with this figure expected to rise to 315 GW in 2023. In the next decade, installations of solar photovoltaics (PV) are expected to increase sixfold to reach a worldwide capacity of 2,840 GW by 2030. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) expects solar photovoltaics and wind power to lead the global electricity market transformation by 2050, with solar power becoming the second largest source and covering 25% of worldwide electricity needs. Worldwide PV capacity is expected to consist of 40% distributed (rooftop) and 60% utility-scale power. In particular, distributed solar PV installations are expected to grow rapidly as a result of consumer engagement and supportive policies.
With electricity demand projected to continue to grow worldwide, and with access to energy among the Sustainability Development Goals (SDG 7), solar offers unique added value in providing access to clean energy. Off-grid solar solutions, for example, grew by 18% in 2022 in developing Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In total, since 2010, more than 180 million off-grid systems have been sold, including 150 million pico solar products and 30 million solar home systems.
Source: Own illustration based on IRENA and IAE data, 2023.
Space applications and services have a unique added value for this growing market, notably for:
- Location scouting and due diligence,
- System planning and forecasting,
- Maintenance and connectivity,
- Energy efficiency, electrification, and prosumers, as well as
- Environmental impact and protection from natural hazards.
Find out more on the added value of space and ESA’s support programmes in the latest mini report “Space for Solar Energy: Use cases and market opportunities“.
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