For an hour today, solar will provide 20% of the world’s electricity, up from 16% last year

On June 21, the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year, clean energy think tank Ember says solar power is set to contribute 20% of the world’s electricity for an hour at midday, up from 16% last year. This surge is attributed to longer daylight hours in June in the northern hemisphere, where most solar panels are located.

Ember analyst Kostantsa Rangelova emphasizes that solar has become a serious global electricity source, driven by plummeting battery costs that enable its use beyond daylight hours. Solar is the fastest-growing source of electricity and is expected to become the largest source of energy.

Spain is leading in Europe, with solar power predicted to make up 30% of its electricity in June 2024. Overall, the EU is projected to achieve a 20% solar share in electricity generation this month, doubling the global average.

Despite substantial global solar generation, its proportion in national power mixes varies. China, for instance, produced 36% of global solar electricity last year, but it only represented 6.2% of its total power mix. The article also highlights the potential for solar power in countries with high solar radiation (‘insolation’), like the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, which currently underutilize this resource. Conversely, less sunny countries like the Netherlands and Germany achieve significant solar contributions to their power mixes, demonstrating the versatile potential of solar energy irrespective of natural conditions.