A new report from the International Energy Agency shows Australia among the top 10 countries for solar installations and total installed capacity in 2013.
According to the IEA PVP’s Snapshot of Global PV 1992-2013, at least 36.9 GW of solar power systems were installed and connected to the grid in the world last year. With some installations not yet reported, the final number for the 2013 PV market could be above 38 GW.
Top 10 Countries for Installations (2013/MW)
China – 11.3
Japan – 6.9
USA – 4.8
Germany – 3.3
Italy – 1.5
India – 1.1
Romania – 1.1
Greece – 1
UK – 1
Australia – 0.9
Top 10 countries for total installed capacity (2013/MW)
Germany – 35.5
China – 18.3
Italy – 17.6
Japan – 13.6
USA 12
Spain – 5.6
France – 4.6
Australia – 3.3
Belgium – 3
UK – 2.9
Last year, Asia led the world in terms of solar deployment for the first time in a decade.
Annual PV contribution to electricity demand has passed the 1% mark in 15 countries, including Australia.
“PV technology today has become a major actor in the electricity sector in several countries. Globally, at least 160 TWh, or 160 billion kWh will be produced in 2014 by PV systems installed and commissioned until January 2014,” states the report (PDF).
“This represents about 0.85% of the electricity demand of the planet, though some countries have reached rapidly significant percentages.”
Stand-out performers in this regard are Germany, Italy and Greece; which have now enough solar panels to produce 6.2%, 7.8% and 5.8% respectively of their annual electricity demand.
The IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) has 29 member countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, EPIA, European Union, France, Germany, International Copper Alliance, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, SEIA, SEPA, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA.
