- The ten nations with the most solar energy production are China, Japan, The United States, Germany, India, Italy, The United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Korea.
- Solar energy is commonly used for Solar-powered transportation, Wearable solar technology (cellphones, music speakers, air conditioning, tablets), Solar lighting, and Solar heating.
- The areas that fall near the equator have higher PV potential because they get a higher amount of sunlight throughout the year, and these areas lack snow and ice, reflecting solar radiation into space.
If you look into the energy revolution, solar energy is becoming an essential part of the energy mix all around the globe. It is not going anywhere anytime soon, so many countries have adapted to this viable source of electricity. This switch not only cuts down carbon pollution but also contributes to the overall economy of a country.
So, where is solar energy used the most? Here, we have a list of countries that have taken the lead in making the most of the sun’s energy. So, let’s get right into it.
Table of Contents
Where is Solar Energy Used the Most?
The concept of solar power generation is expanding worldwide. According to IRENA’s 2018 Country Rankings dashboard, China is at the top and committed to generating more eco-friendly energy.
Installed Solar Capacity Data by Countries
| Rank | Country | Capacity (MW) |
| 1 | China | 175,019 |
| 2 | Japan | 55,500 |
| 3 | United States | 49,692 |
| 4 | Germany | 45,930 |
| 5 | India | 26,869 |
| 6 | Italy | 20,120 |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 13,108 |
| 8 | Australia | 9,763 |
| 9 | France | 9,483 |
| 10 | Korea | 8,862 |
1. China
China is a nation highly committed to renewable energy at a vast 170 gigawatts. Along with the largest population and carbon footprint, China is the largest producer and buyer of solar panels. Giant solar farms install most photovoltaic products in remote areas that sell the energy to utilities.
Due to the nation’s severe air pollution crisis and the need for electricity, China has increased solar power dramatically. In 2018, it held a record for the largest operational solar project for the 1,547 MW project at Tengger.
2. Japan
Japan is another one of the most densely populated nations in the world. It lacks abundant open space and cannot cover vast swathes of land with solar panels. However, it has still managed to be a leader in solar energy production.
After the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster, Japan was determined to switch to solar energy as a plan to double its renewable energy by 2030. The nation gained popularity in golf around the 1980s, which led to abandoned golf courses as of 2015. Many of these courses are now covered in photovoltaic products. They have found creative ways to install solar panels, successfully creating floating “solar islands.”
3. The United States
The United States is home to some of the largest solar power plants. It is the third-largest growth market for renewables. In the coming years, renewable projects in the US may benefit from multi-year federal tax incentives and state-level policies for distributed solar panels.
The fastest-growing market segment is the residential sector. The US has expanded its output with the help of substantial government incentives given to this sector. With the rise in the cost-competition of solar power and other resources, US output is expected to get considerably high.
4. Germany
Germany is considered a key leader in producing PV power and achieving the highest-ranking country for solar PV per capita. Moreover, Germany has met almost 50% of the nation’s daily energy needs from solar power.
The government of Germany considers renewable energy a high priority and aims to source 80% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050.
5. India
India has one of the fastest-growing solar industries. In March 2019, its solar installed capacity reached around 28.18 GW, becoming the world’s lowest-cost solar power producer.
The government of India had a target of 20 GW capacity for 2022, which was achieved way ahead of schedule in the year 2018.
6. Italy
Although this country does not produce as much solar power as other leading nations, in 2014, Italy created 18.5 GW, representing almost 10% of the country’s total energy needs, more than even the leading countries.
However, tax breaks provided to solar farms have now expired. They have been foreclosed upon or sold. As a result, the overall output of Italy is expected to decline.
7. The United Kingdom
Even with minimal year-round sun, the UK has managed to decrease the cost of PV technology. The government has introduced solar panels to schools, businesses, and homes.
In 2017, solar energy accounted for almost 3.4% of Britain’s total electricity generation. By 2020, the government will create 4 million solar-powered homes.
8. Australia
In 2018, solar PV accounted for 5.2% of Australia’s total electrical energy production. In March 2019, the country installed more than 12,035 MW of PV solar power.
Although, it has PV projects that are due to start construction, under construction, or constructed. Australia is producing relatively little with all the resources, infrastructure, and solar power it gets.
9. France
In the first six months of 2018, the French solar market grew by 59% with large-scale solar installations. The nation’s cumulative installed PV power was above 8.5 GW, and the newly installed PV capacity reached 479 MW.
France is steadily growing as a generator of renewable energy. The developed energy industry, political spirit, and thriving economy help it to switch to environment-friendly energy.
10. Korea
By 2030, South Korea aims to add 30 GW of PV. It will improve the nation’s poor renewable energy performance. About 9% of that capacity is to be commenced in Saemangeum, and 14GW of solar energy is to be installed before 2020.
Worldwide Solar Energy Potential
The areas that fall near the equator have higher PV potential because it gets a higher amount of sunlight throughout the year. Another main reason is that these areas lack snow and ice, which reflects solar radiation into space. Many factors play a role in the PV potential of any geographic area, such as day length, sunlight angle, and surface reflection.
Solar Capacity Data of States in America
| Rank | State | Capacity (MW) |
| 1 | California | 13,241 |
| 2 | Arizona | 2,303 |
| 3 | North Carolina | 2,087 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 1,632 |
| 5 | Nevada | 1,240 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 1,020 |
| 7 | New York | 638 |
| 8 | Hawaii | 564 |
| 9 | Colorado | 540 |
| 10 | Texas | 534 |
How is Solar Energy Used?
Many gadgets and technologies have adapted to solar power. Here are a few examples of how and where solar energy is used.
- Solar-powered transportation
- Wearable solar technology (cellphones, music speakers, air conditioning, tablets)
- Solar lighting
- Solar heating
Solar energy is measured with photovoltaic energy responsible for producing electricity and the thermal energy used for heating water. You will never run out of this natural source of energy.
However, some areas receive more sunlight and have a higher potential for solar energy production. Some factors like the tilt of your solar panels, air temperature, and air quality, along with weather variations, can impact the energy production of your solar PV system.
