I 5 Leaders In Solar Energy Production

Energy 5 Leaders In Solar Energy Production

According to GlobalData, the global solar PV inverter market reached 123.10 gigawatts in 2020 and could grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 4% between 2021 to 2025 as demand accelerates. Here are the five countries and regions taking the lead in solar energy production.

• China

China has now become a leader in solar energy production, investing over $50 billion in new PV supply capacity since 2011, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This is 10 times more than Europe. China’s share in all the manufacturing stages of solar panels now exceeds 80%. China’s solar PV exports in 2021 reached more than $30 billion. China is home to the world’s 10 top suppliers of solar PV manufacturing equipment according to IEA China’s JinkoSolar was ranked by GlobalData as the leading company in terms of global solar PV module shipments in 2018 and 2019. In H1 2022, the company shipped 18.92 GW of PV modules globally.

• Europe

Countries in Europe and North America have significant modulemanufacturing capability, but they depend almost entirely for solar cells on China and the rest of Southeast Asia. The EU has a high solar PV demand and remains one of the large importers. In the last five years, the EU has imported 84% of its installed solar PV modules, according to an IEA report. In Europe, following the 2011-2013 PV installation boom in Europe, the value of the solar PV trade remained relatively stable at around $25 billion until 2021. Last year, higher polysilicon and module prices, together with rising demand, helped boost PV trade to a record value of almost $40 billion.

• North America

In the last five years, the U.S. has imported 77% of its installed solar PV modules, according to data from the IEA. To boost its domestic solar industry, U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law in August the sweeping Inflation Reduction Act, which includes tax incentives for the development of a more robust solar industry. The largest climate and energy spending package in U.S. history includes the $369 billion to be dedicated to supporting renewable energy and climate resilience. According to a White House statement, the country aims to triple domestic solar manufacturing capacity by 2024.

• Asia Pacific (excluding India)

China may have very little competition for wafers—a thin ice of a crystalline silicon, a semiconductor, used to create photovoltaic cells—but when it comes to cells and modules, Southeast Asia has considerable manufacturing capacity, mostly in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Japan also possesses significant capacity but focuses its production on semiconductor-grade products. According to GlobalData, installations in Japan, China, India, and Vietnam have led to Asia Pacific increasing its share to over half of the rooftop solar PV cumulative capacity in 2020. The research agency added that the region will continue to dominate the market by 2030.

• India

In the last few years, solar energy has had a visible impact on Indian energy, according to the country’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, adding that solar energy-based decentralized and distributed applications have benefited millions of people in Indian villages. Solar PV can easily be harnessed in the country, with about 5,000 trillion kWh per year energy occurring over India’s land area with most parts receiving 4-7 kWh per square meters per day. According to an assessment of the country’s National Institute of Solar Energy, India has solar potential of about 748 GW assuming 3% of the wasteland area to be covered by Solar PV modules.

• $50 billion •

China has invested over $50 billion in new PV supply capacity since 2011. That’s 10 times more than Europe. • $369 billion •

The U.S. has dedicated $369 billion to supporting renewable energy and climate silience. • 84% •

In the last five years, the EU has imported 84% of its installed solar PV modules. • 748 GW •

India has solar potential of about 748 GW if 3% of its wasteland area were covered by Solar PV modules.

Building Futures

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Sahar Al Marzouki, owner and director of Al Faris International School, explains how the education provider is fostering intellectual capital in Saudi Arabia.

With the current support of the Saudi education minister, and in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, we are on a trajectory to become a leading country in education. The focused ambition of our leadership will guide us towards a world-class future, and I truly believe that what we achieve will set the standard for many others.

We are seeing a methodical evolution of school premises all over the country–especially smaller ones–and schools that do not follow the set standards are asked to close down. School facilities must be properly equipped for the safety of our learners, and they must provide leading educational environments.

The Saudi population is growing more aware of the importance of quality education. Hence, we are seeing more international schools establish themselves in Saudi Arabia and they are welcomed with open arms. This development aligns closely with Vision 2030’s emphasis on embracing global differences and various educational systems.

As we move forward, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision Realization Program for education, I believe we should concentrate on ensuring the right to quality, life-long learning, and provide an environment that encourages creativity. It is also important to make teaching more attractive as a profession, and to elevate the quality of teachers and teaching methodology.

Technology has a crucial role to play in the future of our education system too. It is a tool that can be used in various ways to enhance the learning journey, and by default, it is part of every sector, including education. We are witnessing the evolution of virtual classes, the transformation of school management systems, and the revamping of online learning platforms. More recently, we have also seen the evolution of virtual and augmented reality that provide immersive learning opportunities.

Nevertheless, I truly believe that in-person education will continue to be the most effective means of educating our younger learners. Virtual aids will further enhance learning but will not substitute the role of teachers and schools.

Another important aspect of education is inclusion, and at Al Faris International

School, we focus particularly on orphaned children. About 30% of the school’s revenue goes to addressing the needs of orphans and their families, and we induct any learner who loses their supporting parent to our full scholarship program.

Further reflecting our commitment to the people and communities that surround us, we built a social responsibility program in the school several years ago with the help of

UNESCO, and part of our curriculum involves participation in social responsibility activities.

As one example, we send volunteers from grades 11 and 12 to help in refugee camps. There, some of our volunteers teach underprivileged children how to read and write, some choose to help rebuild houses, and others help in securing food and clean water. In addition to helping others, volunteering in this way is a valuable, life-changing experience for our learners and future leaders.

Sahar Al Marzouki, owner and director of Al Faris International School