Solar PV is the leading Source of Energy Transition

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has become a central pillar of the global energy transition, accounting for nearly 80% of all new renewable capacity additions. A record-breaking 550 GW of solar PV capacity was installed worldwide, marking a 30% increase from the previous year and bringing global PV capacity to approximately 2.2 terawatts (TW). This surge was driven by declining technology costs, supportive policy frameworks, and the urgent need to meet rising electricity demand without exacerbating carbon emissions. PV's rapid deployment reflects its maturity as a scalable, decentralized solution for clean power generation, enabling countries to diversify energy supply and improve energy security while addressing climate goals.

Contribution of the Global Electricity Generation

In terms of electricity generation, solar PV contributed approximately 480 Terawatt-hours (TWh) of additional electricity in 2024, more than any other single energy source crucial role in ensuring that over 80% of global electricity generation growth came from low-emission sources, generation came from low-emission sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear. The influence of PV was particularly notable in major economies: in China, PV and wind combined accounted for nearly 20% of total electricity generation; in the U.S., their share overtook coal for the first time; and in the EU, they surpassed the combined output of coal and gas. Such shifts underscore PV’s central role in decarbonizing power systems and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Installations and Leading Countries

China led global PV growth, adding over 340 GW in 2024 (more than 60% of the global total), and many other countries are doing more efforts in that field, like:

• United States: 50 GW added (new record).

• India: 30 GW (nearly tripled year-on-year).

• Brazil: 16.5 GW (strong distributed and utility-scale growth).

• European Union: 60 GW, though growth slowed outside Germany, Italy, and Spain.

PV Capacity in MENA Region

In the MENA region, solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is gradually emerging as a key pillar of energy diversification efforts. According to the Global Energy Review 2025, countries such as the United Arab Emirates have made notable progress, including the expansion of both nuclear and solar capacity, while others like Egypt continue to restructure energy markets and update its targets to increase the PV share in the national strategy by 2030 to reach more than( 8 GW). The region’s vast solar resources present a strong opportunity for PV to play a larger role in meeting rising electricity demand and addressing energy security. However, the report indicates that while the global surge in PV additions was led by markets like China, India, and the United States, MENA’s contribution was more modest, suggesting that despite its high solar potential, further policy support, investment, and infrastructure development are needed to fully harness PV’s role in the region’s energy transition.

Egypt Energy Mix

Egypt is going forward to accelerate its transition toward renewable energy, with a particular focus on solar photovoltaic (PV) power as a central component of the national energy mix. According to the Integrated and Sustainable Energy Strategy 2035, national energy targets have been updated to increase the share of renewables to 30% by 2030 and 60% by 2040. According to the latest data, the total installed renewable energy capacity reached 8.3 GW by April 2025, including 2.8 GW from solar power. Solar energy contributions include government projects , alongside a significant expansion in private sector investments, which are expected to reach more than 10 GW by 2030. This growth highlights Egypt’s recognition of the importance of solar energy in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, enhancing energy security, and contributing effectively to international climate commitments.

PV & Global Emission Reduction

Beyond energy supply, the expansion of PV had an important impact on carbon emissions mitigation. The deployment of solar PV—alongside wind, electric vehicles, and other renewable energy sources—contributed to avoiding an estimated 2.6 billion tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to about 7% of global emissions. In regions such as Southeast Asia and India, where coal continues to dominate, solar PV provided a clean alternative to meet electricity demand driven by population growth, industrialization, and climate-induced cooling needs. Without the 2024 expansion of PV and wind, global coal demand—and thus emissions—would have been nearly twice as high. This highlights PV’s indispensable role not just as a renewable power source but as a frontline technology in the global energy transition and climate action.

References:

https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2024/executive-summary

https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2025