Solar power sees 29% increase in 2024, marking new record

The share of solar power in global electricity generation rose to 6.9% in 2024, up from 5.6% in 2023, according to a new report by energy think tank Ember.

Solar saw a 29% increase in the last year and added more than twice as much electricity generation in 2024 as any other electricity source.

“Solar power has become the engine of the global energy transition. Paired with battery storage, solar is set to be an unstoppable force,” said Phil MacDonald, Ember’s managing director.

China led global solar growth, adding 250 terawatt hours (TWh)—accounting for 53% of the global increase—four times more than the next-largest increase in the United States.

The rise in solar, along with gains in wind, hydro and nuclear, lifted clean electricity’s global share to 40.9% in 2024, up from 39.4% a year earlier.

Wind power grew by 7.9%, supported by capacity additions and slightly offset by reduced wind speeds in some regions.

Hydropower remained the largest clean source at 14.3%, followed by wind (8.1%), solar (6.9%) and nuclear (9%).

Coal remained the dominant power source globally, generating 34.4% of electricity, followed by gas at 22% and other fossil fuels at 2.8%.

2025 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.