California’s Solar Canals, Brazil’s Solar Year, and a Record Renewable Growth
pv magazine Global
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Renewable energy hit new highs in 2024, thanks to a surge in solar installations around the world. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) , a staggering 452 GW of solar capacity was added last year, which is over three-quarters of the 585 GW total increase in renewable capacity. China alone accounted for more than half of the new solar capacity, underscoring its important role in the global transition.
In California, the Solar Canal Initiative (CSCI) is moving forward with its innovative plan to install solar panels over the state’s 4,000 miles of canals. Early research shows this could generate 13 GW of annual energy while conserving water and reducing land use. Project Nexus, a $20 million pilot project, is already under construction and expected to be operational this year.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s solar market hit a new milestone, reaching 55 GW of installed capacity - now the country’s second-largest power source after hydro. Challenges remain, however. And over in Panama. solar now accounts for nearly 14% of Panama’s electricity generation helping the country move towards its ambitious goal of 70% renewable penetration by 2050.
Commercial & Industrial PV
The California Solar Canal Initiative (CSCI) aims to use research from the University of California, Merced, to find communities willing to generate power with solar-covered canals.
A 2021 study conducted by researchers from University of California, Merced, found that covering large sections of California’s 4,000 miles of canals with arrays of solar panels could help conserve water, reduce air pollution, save land and generate clean energy using existing land and infrastructure.
→ Read the complete article written by Anne Fischer
Markets
Solar adds record 452 GW to global renewables capacity in 2024
The “IRENA Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025” report shows that 585 GW of renewables were added last year, marking the largest increase in capacity to date and a 15.1% year-on-year rise – the fastest annual growth rate on record.
Renewables made up 92.5% of all energy capacity expansion in 2024, also a record for a calendar year.
Solar dominated the new renewables capacity, adding a record 451.9 GW. Together with wind, which contributed 113 GW, the two technologies accounted for 96.6% of global renewables growth.
→ Read the complete article written by Patrick Jowett
Markets
Brazil’s installed solar capacity has reached 55 GW, according to new data from the Brazilian Solar Energy Association (ABSolar).
At the end of December, cumulative PV capacity stood at about 52 GW, with roughly 3 GW added so far this year.
Solar power now accounts for 22.2% of Brazil’s total installed electricity capacity, making it the country’s second-largest generation source. Of the total, distributed solar generation contributes approximately 37.4 GW, while large-scale PV plants connected to the National Interconnected System (SIN) account for about 17.6 GW.
→ Read the complete article written by Lívia Neves
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