The solar photovoltaic industry continues to expand worldwide, with exponential growth in recent years. In 2015, global installed solar energy capacity reached 229 GW, an increase of 50 GW over the previous year. According to SolarPower Europe, the trend continued with record figures for 2016, where an addition of 62 GW was expected globally, mainly led by China, which played a crucial role by installing 20 GW in the first half of that year alone.
The rise of photovoltaic energy has clear reasons: the abrupt decline in the costs of solar technology and the growing interest in clean energy upgrades. Other reports support this optimistic future, such as that of The PV Market Alliance, which projected 70 GW of additions in 2017. Although Asia leads this market, Europe was seeing a slowdown in growth with much more modest projections for 2016-2017.
Below, we explore the key drivers of Asian success, the world's largest PV plants, and trends toward ever more massive installations.
The rise of Asia and the cheapening of technology
The growth of the Solar energy in Asia The growth in solar power has been driven by significant cost reductions in photovoltaic technology. Most of the massive installations have been concentrated in China and India, where competitive solar panel prices and a favorable policy environment have facilitated the creation of mega-installations. In just one year, China added four giant plants to its list of 10 largest photovoltaic plants in the world, including plants of Longyangxia y Ningxia. In addition, India stood out with the project kamuthi, which in 2016 became its largest plant with 648 MW.
Solar expansion in these regions has also seen accelerated progress thanks to public-private agreements and auctions that have lowered energy prices. The solar park Bhadla in India, for example, reached the lowest prices in history during its auctions.
The largest photovoltaic plants in the world
Below we review some of the largest solar plants in the world, which exemplify the colossal growth in installed capacity:
Longyangxia Hydro-Solar PV Station, 850 MW – China
Inaugurated in 2015, the plant Longyangxia Hydro-Solar, located in Qinghai Province, China, combines hydroelectric and solar energy. This hybrid model optimizes energy production and stabilizes the power grid. The station was designed and built by powerchina and is a pioneer in taking advantage of the complementarity of two clean energies.
Kamuthi photovoltaic plant, 648 MW – India
Plant kamuthi in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, is the largest solar installation in the country with 648 MW. Initiated by Adani Green Energy In 2016, it was completed in a record time of eight months, occupying 514 hectares and using more than 30.000 tons of galvanized steel. This plant can supply energy to more than 150.000 homes.
Solar Industry Star Solar Farm I and II, 579 MW – United States
La Solar Star It was completed in California in 2015. With a total capacity of *579 MW* spread over two phases, this facility covers 13 square kilometers and features 1,7 million solar panels manufactured by SunPowerThe entire plant is designed to maximize efficiency due to the unique solar irradiation conditions in the region.
Topaz Solar Farm, 550 MW – United States
Completed in 2014 in San Luis Obispo, California, Topaz Solar Farm It was one of the world's first large-scale installations. With a capacity of 550 MW, it covers 26 square kilometres and uses 9 million photovoltaic modules produced by First SolarThe plant supplies power to around 160.000 homes and is owned by Mid American Solar, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
The largest solar plants under development
The development of new solar plants continues to boom, with several projects under construction that will exceed existing capacities. For example, the Bhadla Solar Park In India, the capacity has already reached 2.245 MW, making it the largest operational solar plant in the world. This park is located in the vast Rajasthan desert and benefits from high temperatures and desert conditions, making it an optimal environment for solar energy.
In China, Tengger Desert Solar Park, also known as the “Great Wall of Solar,” has an installed capacity of 1.547 MW and covers a 3,2% portion of the vast desert. This plant is a major contribution to China’s plans to lead the global solar market.
Also in the Middle East, Benban Solar Park in Egypt has reached a capacity of 1.650 MW, making it one of the largest projects on the African continent. Located near the Aswan Dam, this project plays a key role in supplying electricity through renewable sources in Egypt.
Finally, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and the Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Plant are further examples of how the Middle East is investing in renewable energy. These projects have a capacity of over 1.000 MW each and are essential to the region’s sustainability plans.
All of this demonstrates the unstoppable growth of solar photovoltaic energy on a global scale. With more countries and regions entering the market for mega solar installations, we are closer to a future where clean energy will be the dominant source of electricity.