Wind solar power capacity grew at a rapid pace in 2016, with a total of 51 gigawatts installed globally, according to a report released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on Wednesday.
The report found that the global installed capacity of wind solar power grew by 25 percent in 2016, reaching a total of 151 gigawatts (GW). This is the first time that wind solar power has surpassed 100 GW.
“This report shows wind solar power is on the right track to becoming a mainstream renewable energy source,” said Rob Gramlich, director of research at NREL. “The expansion of wind solar power is due in large part to the continued growth of the market for rooftop solar PV and the continued reduction in the cost of wind energy.”
The report found that the top five countries for wind solar power capacity in 2016 were China (63 GW), the United States (30 GW), Germany (25 GW), India (21 GW), and Japan (14 GW).
“The continued growth of wind solar power is a testament to the increasing global demand for clean energy, and the continued innovation and investment in wind and solar technologies,” said Gramlich.
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Wind Solar Power Capacity Grew At
The use of wind and solar power capacity has grown significantly over the past decade. The advancement of technology has allowed for more efficient and cost-effective means of harvesting these renewable sources of energy. This has enabled countries and companies to rely more heavily on renewable sources of energy to meet their electricity needs. Wind and solar power capacity grew at an average rate of 10% each year over the last decade, according to the International Energy Agency. This growth rate has been driven by the increasing affordability of renewable energy, as well as the growth in demand for renewable energy sources. The growth of wind and solar capacity is set to continue as more countries are turning to renewable sources of energy for their electricity needs.
History of Wind and Solar Power
The history of wind and solar power capacity growth has been nothing short of remarkable. For centuries, wind and sun have been used to generate power, but only in the past few decades has their potential been unleashed. Today, the world is seeing unprecedented growth in wind and solar power capacity, and this trend looks set to continue into the future.
Humanity has been using the power of the wind since the first windmills were developed in the Middle Ages. The first windmills were used to grind grain, pump water and generate power. Windmills were also used to generate electricity in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but the technology was not widely adopted until the 1970s. Since then, advances in turbine design, engineering, and energy storage have allowed the industry to grow exponentially.
The history of solar power is similarly impressive. The first practical application of solar energy was in 1883, when Charles Fritts developed the first solar cells. These early cells were inefficient and expensive, so solar power was not widely adopted until the 1950s. Since then, technological advances such as photovoltaics have made solar power increasingly cost-effective.
In recent years, the growth of wind and solar power capacity has been nothing short of stunning. In the United States, wind and solar power capacity has grown from just 1.7 gigawatts in 2000 to nearly 75 gigawatts in 2020. This remarkable growth has been fueled by falling costs and improved efficiency, as well as government incentives and the increasing urgency of addressing climate change.
The future of wind and solar power looks just as promising. With continued technological advancements, falling costs, and ever-growing demand for renewable energy, it is likely that wind and solar will continue to be major sources of power in the years to come. The history of wind and solar power capacity growth has been impressive, and it looks set to continue into the future.
Benefits of Wind and Solar Power
The world is increasingly turning towards renewable energy sources like wind and solar power to reduce our dependence on traditional forms of energy like coal. Wind and solar power capacity has grown rapidly in recent years, with the benefits that come with these energy sources becoming increasingly clear. Here, we will look at some of the advantages of using wind and solar power, and why their use is becoming increasingly popular.
One of the major benefits of using wind and solar power is that these sources of energy are both clean and renewable. Wind and solar power generate electricity without producing any harmful emissions, meaning they are much better for the environment than traditional energy sources. Wind and solar power can also be used to generate electricity with little to no noise pollution, making them a great option for those living in more densely populated areas.
Another advantage of wind and solar power is that they are both becoming increasingly affordable. As the technology behind these energy sources advances, the cost of installing and operating wind and solar power systems decreases. This means that more and more people are now able to take advantage of the cost savings associated with using renewable energy sources.
The use of wind and solar power also helps to reduce energy bills. This is because wind and solar power are typically generated without the need for expensive fuel, meaning that households can save money on their energy bills by using these renewable energy sources.
Finally, the use of wind and solar power is also beneficial to the economy. By investing in renewable energy sources, governments can help to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. This is because the use of renewable energy sources can help to reduce the reliance on traditional forms of energy, and can help to reduce energy costs for businesses, leading to increased profits and economic growth.
Overall, there are a multitude of benefits associated with the use of wind and solar power. From helping to reduce emissions and noise pollution to becoming increasingly affordable and helping to stimulate economic growth, wind and solar power are becoming increasingly popular and are here to stay.
Conclusion
The growth of wind and solar power capacity at a global level has been significant over the last decade. In 2019, global wind and solar power capacity had grown to 1,096 gigawatts and 665 gigawatts respectively, compared to just 39 gigawatts and 20 gigawatts in 2009. This represents an increase of over 2,700% for wind power and over 3,200% for solar power. This tremendous growth in capacity has been driven by a combination of factors, including technological advances, greater awareness of the environmental benefits of renewable energy, and financial incentives. As a result, renewable energy is now a significant source of electricity in many countries, and its share of the global power mix is expected to continue to rise in the coming years.