Solar Champions

CanaryMedia: “Chart: Which 10 countries generated the most solar power in 2023?” Solar generation surged + broke records in 2023, producing an estimated 5.5% of electricity. “According to the latest ​“Global Electricity Review” from energy research firm Ember, solar has been the fastest-growing source of electricity for 19 consecutive years.” Solar also beat coal, adding twice as much produced electricity. “China continues to dominate the solar race, single-handedly producing more than 580 TWh of solar electricity in 2023 — more than the next five countries combined.” US held onto second place, while India overtook Japan [barely] to claim the third spot. “India’s solar generation has soared over the past five years, growing more than three-fold since 2018.” Sadly though, coal continues to meeet most of India’s demand growth, + constitutes three-quarters of total electric generation. “Solar made up 11% of Japan’s electricity mix in 2023—about double the global average…now one of 33 countries that get more than 10% of their power from solar, including Chile (20%), Australia (17%), and Spain (17%).” Germany is in fifth place + has been steadily adding solar for a decade. Brazil has grown at breakneck speed: in 2017 it generated only some 0.8 terrawatthours or TWH, but last year claimed almost 52 TWh. “Ember expects 2024 to be another record-breaking year for solar worldwide, projecting solar generation to be between 2,150 and 2,350 TWh.” That rate of growth should hit at least 32%, which is ‘higher than the 26% annual growth that will be needed to reach net-zero global emissions by 2050.’ Reminds me, as before, of one of my favorite songs, Walking on Sunshine.