The top 10 largest solar energy-producing countries are China, the United States, Japan, Germany, India, Italy, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and France. The world is now moving toward renewable resources to generate energy which influences solar energy production. Also, governments and international organizations introduced various trade tariff incentives and subsidies to encourage investors to enter the market. China is the leading solar energy producer in the world followed by The United States, Japan, and Germany.
In this article, we will discuss the list of the top 10 largest solar energy-producing countries along with their production, the largest solar power plants, and how government intervention influences the production of solar energy in each country.
Table of Content
- Solar Energy-Producing Countries
- List of Top 10 Largest Solar Energy-Producing Countries
- 1. Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: China
- 2. Second Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: United States
- 3. Third Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Japan
- 4. Fourth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Germany
- 5. Fifth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: India
- 6. Sixth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Italy
- 7. Seventh Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Australia
- 8. Eighth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: United Kingdom
- 9. Ninth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: South Korea
- 10. Tenth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: France
Solar Energy-Producing Countries
The nations that have used the sun’s power to further their goals for renewable energy now control the majority of the world’s solar energy production. China is at the forefront of the renewable energy industry, as evidenced by its manufacturing prowess and aggressive legislation. It has the greatest installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels worldwide. After China, the US and India are notable participants, having made large investments in solar infrastructure to address the world’s expanding energy needs sustainably.
Japan and Germany have also achieved impressive progress, overcoming unfavorable conditions for solar energy production with the help of cutting-edge technology and encouraging regulations. South Korea and France complete the top tier, concentrating on innovation, while Italy, Australia, and Spain take use of their sunny skies to push the limits of solar adoption.
List of Top 10 Largest Solar Energy-Producing Countries
The table given below shows the top 10 list of largest solar energy-producing countries along with their production, and largest power plant.
|
Rank |
Countries |
Solar energy production |
Largest solar power project |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
China |
250 GW |
Tengger Desert Solar Park |
|
2 |
United States |
90 GW |
Solar Star |
|
3 |
Japan |
70 GW |
Setouchi Kirei Solar Power Plant |
|
4 |
Germany |
50 GW |
Lieberose Solar Park |
|
5 |
India |
40 GW |
Bhadla Solar Park |
|
6 |
Italy |
20 GW |
Montalto di Castro Solar Park |
|
7 |
Australia |
15 GW |
Sunraysia Solar Farm |
|
8 |
United Kingdom |
10 GW |
Cleve Hill Solar Park |
|
9 |
South Korea |
10 GW |
SinAn Solar Power Plant |
|
10 |
France |
10 GW |
Cestas Solar Park |
1. Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: China
China leads the list of top 10 solar energy-producing nation worldwide. The country made significant investments in the installation of solar power plants to achieve the title.
- A large part of West China is less populated and has an abundance of unutilised land area. Hence, this part of the country provide adequate solar sources for energy production. Approximately 250 gigawatt-hours electricity is produced in the country majority of which is produced in the states of Gansu, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia, and Jiangsu .
- The largest Solar Power Project in China is Tengger Desert Solar Park, located in Zhongwei, Ningxia, which has a capacity of over 1,500 MW
- The expanding solar farm in China is improving its portfolio of renewable energy. Solar energy is one of the most important renewable sources of energy used by the country.
- Various government policies and schemes such as Feed-in Tariffs, Renewable Energy Quota Systems and subsidies to install solar farms are also contributing to this growth.
2. Second Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: United States
The United States rank second on the list. The country benefits with abundant sunlight in states and favorable regulations.
- A large part of the country has a vast straight landmass which is appropriate to receive sunlight for the majority part of the day. Approximately 90 gigawatt-hours electricity is produced in the country. States like California, Arizona, and Texas have witnessed substantial growth in solar projects and contributes the maximum in production.
- The largest solar power project in United State is Solar Star, located in Kern and Los Angeles Counties, California, with a capacity of 747 MW.
- Technological advancements combined with reasonable cost have further boosted solar energy adoption across the country.
- The federal government has introduced various subsidies and taxes to promote the installation of solar projects such as Investment Tax Credit, Renewable Portfolio Standards, and net metering to receive excess credit when produced extra unit electricity than projected.
3. Third Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Japan
Japan is the third-highest solar energy-producing country in the world. With the innovation of rooftop solar panels Japan has managed to produce solar energy with limited resources.
- Although Japan has limited landscape and a high population, the country still managed to produce solar energy by promoting and encouraging rooftop solar panel installation. Approximately over 70gigawatt-hour electricity is produced in Japan. The Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011, was the trigger that influenced Japan to shift toward solar energy resources to meed its need.
- The largest solar power project in Japan is Setouchi Kirei Solar Power Plant, located in Okayama Prefecture, with a capacity of approximately 235 MW.
- Japan’s determination toward clean energy transition influences the country to be a major player in the global solar energy market.
- The government of Japan often provides soft loans and grants to encourage the installation of solar farms and various forms of exemptions are also provided to the owners.
4. Fourth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Germany
Germany is the fourth-highest solar energy-producing country in the world. This country has been promoting renewable energy for a long time.
- Germany being focus on decentralization of energy production encouraged the country to opt for enhancing its solar energy production. Approximately 50 gigawatts of solar energy is produced in Germany. Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and Rhine-Westphalia in Germany contribute the major share in the production of solar energy.
- The largest solar power in Germany is Lieberose Solar Park, located in Brandenburg, with a capacity of around 71.8 MW.
- Despite of periodic availability of sunlight Germany’s commitment to optimize solar energy production sets an example for the world.
- The government of this country also encourages the investors to fund this sector by providing various, subsidies, tax exemption incentives, and tarriffs.
5. Fifth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: India
India is the fifth-highest solar energy-producing country in the world. This country has seen remarkable growth in this sector in recent years.
- India has vast geographical diversity which provides a big source of sunlight to generate solar energy. Approximately 40 gigawatts solar energy is produced in India. States such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka are the major contributors to nations solar energy production.
- The largest solar power project in India is Bhadla Solar Park, located in Rajasthan, with a capacity of over 2,245 MW. It is main source of electricity in the state.
- India has also established off-grid solar solution for the rural area requirement which shows the country’s tenacity to grow the technically advance solar energy power station which will support the socioeconomic condition of the country.
- The government has introduced many schemes and policies to help the companies’ private as well as public starting solar power systems or firms Also manufacturing cost of solar panels are also subsidized.
6. Sixth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Italy
Italy is the sixth-highest producer of solar energy in the world with its favorable climate and landscape.
- The country’s commitment toward clean energy production encourages the nation to grow its solar energy production as a green energy. Approximately 20 gigawatts-hours of solar energy is produced in India. The entire country has a high potential of producing solar energy.
- The largest solar power project in Italy is Montalto di Castro Solar Park, located in Lazio, with a capacity of 84.2 MW. This project is not completed till now but is expected to be wholly function within 2025.
- Italy’s strong determination to shift toward renewable energy and control the climatic changes caused due to excess exploitation of resources has pushed entire Europe half the way toward its goal of green energy.
- The Feed-in tariffs and net metering schemes have encouraged the deployment of solar PV systems, both in the residential and commercial sectors of the country.
7. Seventh Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: Australia
The seventh highest solar energy-producing nation, Australia has a vast landscape and abundant sunlight makes it appropriate to rule as a solar energy-producing country.
- The commitment to transforming energy production toward renewable resources of energy helped Australia to achieve its projection. Approximately 15 gigawatts-hours of solar energy is produced by the nation.
- The largest solar power project in Australia is Sunraysia Solar Farm, located in New South Wales, which has a production capacity of 255 MW.
- Australia’s vast landscape and remote communities influence the development of off-grid solar energy power projects.
- The government has introduced various standards and schemes such as the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) mandates that a certain percentage of Australia’s electricity and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) provide finance to renewable energy projects.
8. Eighth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: United Kingdom
The eighth highest solar energy-producing nation The United Kingdom has comparatively less availability of solar energy, still the country made its way to the top ten solar energy-producing countries.
- Approximately 10 gigawatts of solar energy is produced in the United Kingdom which forms a small share of the total energy produced by renewable sources in the country. There are around 1176 solar farms in United Kingdom.
- The largest solar power project in the UK is Cleve Hill Solar Park, located in Kent, with a capacity of up to 350 MW.
- Advanced solar technology and commitment to reach the target of zero emission promote the production of solar energy in the United Kingdom
- The government has introduced various incentives and tariffs such as the Feed-in Tariff scheme and Contracts for Difference auctions, which have facilitated solar PV deployment.
9. Ninth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: South Korea
South Korea secured its position as the ninth-highest solar energy-producing country in the world with its excellence in research and development and technology.
- Approximately 9.8 gigawatt-hours solar energy is produced in South Korea which forms 14% of the total energy produced through renewable sources.There are around 19 thousand solar power plants are installed in recent years some of which still underdeveloped.
- The largest solar power project in South Korea is SinAn Solar Power Plant, located in SinAn, with a capacity of 98 MW.
- The countries solar energy sector has witnessed steady growth in the past few years, with investment in the installation of PV, manufacturing, and deployment.
- The government has also provided various incentives and tariffs such as Renewable Portfolio Standard and solar feed-in tariffs to encourage the deployment of solar power plants in various sectors.
10. Tenth Largest Solar Energy-Producing Country: France
France is the tenth-highest solar energy-producing countries in the world. France is actively transitioning toward renewable sources of energy which influenced the nation to promote solar energy production in France.
- Approximately 9.7 gigawatt-hours solar energy is produced in France which forms a very 37% of share the total energy produced through renewable sources.
- The largest solar power project in France is Cestas Solar Park, located in Gironde, with a capacity of 300 MW which is enough to meet the household consumption (excluding heating) of the 240,000 inhabitants of Bordeaux.
- The deployment of rooftop solar panels, carports and agricultural land indicates France tendency to decentralize the energy production by transitioning to renewable resources and reducing nuclear dependency.
- Various tariffs and subsidies were introduced by the government to encourage investment and production of solar photovoltaics and the deployment of solar panels in various sectors.
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Summary – Top 10 Largest Solar Energy-Producing Countries
To conclude, the whole world is transitioning toward renewable energy resources and solar energy is one of them. Although sunlight is available in abundance on earth, the geographical characteristics of the land play a major role in the amount of production of solar energy. Therefore not every country is capable of producing solar energy in adequate amounts. Also, manufacturing solar cells and solar panels are not very cost-effective and maintenance of solar firms is also quite hard. So, to encourage investors and manufacturers to enter into the market of solar energy, the government introduces various tax benefits and subsidies. In today’s world, it can be said that solar power plants will be part of mainstream energy-producing resources.
FAQ on Top 10 Largest Solar Energy-Producing Countries
Which country has the maximum number of solar panels?
China has the maximum solar panels in the world which forms two-fifth of total installed solar capacity in the globe.
Why do some countries produce the least solar energy?
Solar energy production requires adequate empty land and adequate amount of sunlight which are not available enough in some countries hence effect their productivity of solar energy.
Which is the world’s largest solar park?
The Bhadla Solar Park is a solar power plant located in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India is the largest solar park in the world covering 56 square kilometers area.
What is the world’s largest floating solar project by 2023?
Omkareshwar Floating Solar Power Park located in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh is the world’s largest floating solar park.
Which are the top 10 countries using renewable sources of energy?
Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Brazil, New Zealand, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, and Colombia are the top 10 countries using renewable source of energy.