Solar power generation in the US surged by 25% in the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, attributed to a construction boom in solar farms.

Despite the growth in solar energy, natural gas continues to dominate the energy mix in the US, producing double the electricity of wind and solar combined, emphasizing the ongoing need for decarbonization efforts.

Criticism surrounds China's investments in green technologies due to concerns of overcapacity in the wind and solar industries, potentially driven by state subsidies for competitive pricing abroad, currently under investigation by the EU Commission.

Residential rooftops, despite having the largest share, experienced a 5% decrease in new PV roof installations compared to the previous year.

Solar installations in Germany accounted for 12% of the country's total electricity consumption in 2023, generating 62 terawatt hours of electricity.

Globally, China leads in renewable energy investment, constructing nearly double the solar and wind capacity of all other countries combined, driving 40% of its economic growth.

The growth in solar energy is shifting towards companies and farmers installing solar panels on roofs and open spaces, with a notable increase in installations in Germany by these entities compared to private homeowners.

Wind and solar energy now surpass hydroelectric and nearly match nuclear power generation, with solar alone producing about half as much electricity as coal.

While there was a decrease in solar panel installations on private rooftops, the overall solar power capacity notably increased in residential areas, open spaces, and commercial rooftops, driven by a 40% growth in residential areas.

The deployment of battery storage systems is on the rise to optimize the utilization of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

Internationally, solar power capacity is increasing, with the IEA projecting that solar energy alone will cover half of the global rise in electricity demand in the coming years.

Overall energy consumption in the US grew by approximately 4% in the first five months of 2024, potentially influenced by factors like changing weather patterns, bitcoin mining, and the trend towards electrification.

Germany experienced a significant increase in solar energy expansion from January to mid-July 2024, with a 25% higher newly installed photovoltaic capacity compared to the first half of the previous year, mainly driven by companies and farmers.

While wind and natural gas saw increases, other energy sources like coal, nuclear, and hydroelectric remained relatively stable in the US energy mix.

Solar power is forecasted to potentially grow by up to 42% in 2024, with solar and wind together expected to contribute around 45% of US electricity production.

Utility-scale solar production in the US rose by 29%, and small-scale solar increased by 18%, resulting in an overall 25.3% increase in solar power generation.

A survey revealed that 77% of respondents in late May consider further expansion of solar energy important or extremely important, indicating strong public support for solar energy growth.