Global Solar PV installed Capacity crosses 100GW Mark

The Global cumulative installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity has surpassed 100 GW in 2012, achieving just over 101 GW, according to new EPIA market figures. 

The Current installed Solar PV Capacity produces as much electricity energy in a year as 16 coal power plants or nuclear reactors of 1 GW each. 

Also according to the report, The surpassing of the 100 Giga Watt mark occurred in yet another year of strong global PV development, with an estimated 30 GW connected to the grid and made operational in 2012, which is roughly the same as the record-setting level of 2011. 

 

These results are preliminary, and the 30 GW figure could be increased by an additional 1 or 2 GW when final numbers come in. Final results for the year will be published in May, in EPIA’s annual “Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2013-2017.”

“No one would have predicted even 10 years ago that we would see more than 100 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity in the world by 2012,” said EPIA President Winfried Hoffmann. “The photovoltaic industry clearly faces challenges but the results of 2012 show there is a strong global market for our technology. Even in tough economic times and despite growing regulatory uncertainty, we have nearly managed to repeat the record year of 2011.”

 

Countries outside Europe added more than 13 gigawatts of solar capacity last year, compared with less than 8 gigawatts in 2011, driven by China, the U.S. and Japan, the data show. Germany, home to a third of the world’s solar panels, remained the biggest market after adding 7.6 gigawatts, while Europe as a whole installed 17 gigawatts, down from 23 gigawatts.