The latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) ranks Greece second in theoretical photovoltaic penetration, an indicator that reflects the solar energy generation potential of countries around the world at the end of 2022.
Spain tops the list with a share of over 19%, followed by Greece and Chile at 17,5% and 17%, respectively, ahead of the Netherlands and former champion Australia, each with shares exceeding 15%.
Greece has climbed one place compared with the previous year's index, when it recorded 13,6 percent solar penetration.
Since then, the country has installed an additional 1,4 GW of capacity, the report notes, and is among just nine countries with photovoltaic penetration rates above 10%, up from 7 in 2021.
The corresponding EU average currently stands at 8,7%.
Overall, photovoltaics account for 6,2% of global electricity demand.
IEA experts believe green recovery plans and improved regulations could propel the photovoltaic industry well beyond current installation trends and help meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement.
Spain tops the list with a share of over 19%, followed by Greece and Chile at 17,5% and 17%, respectively, ahead of the Netherlands and former champion Australia, each with shares exceeding 15%.
Greece has climbed one place compared with the previous year's index, when it recorded 13,6 percent solar penetration.
Since then, the country has installed an additional 1,4 GW of capacity, the report notes, and is among just nine countries with photovoltaic penetration rates above 10%, up from 7 in 2021.
The corresponding EU average currently stands at 8,7%.
Overall, photovoltaics account for 6,2% of global electricity demand.
IEA experts believe green recovery plans and improved regulations could propel the photovoltaic industry well beyond current installation trends and help meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement.
Growing use of renewable energy in Greece
Now in its 11 edition, the IEA's annual photovoltaic penetration ranking is based on the theoretical electricity generation from photovoltaics in each country, calculated using cumulative photovoltaic capacity at the end of 2022, under near-optimal location, orientation, and annual weather conditions.
Although grid congestion has become an issue, policy measures, technical solutions, and storage already offer practical ways to boost photovoltaic penetration, the 2022 report notes.
Despite major economic and logistical disruptions, the market's resilience has been remarkable and «demonstrates the potential of the technology to limit the economic downturn and social damage caused by regional or global disruptions».
Greece has invested heavily in renewable energy in recent years, and islands such as Tilos and Chalki have become energy self-sufficient in an ongoing effort to turn Greek island communities into models of a green economy, energy autonomy, digital innovation, and ecological mobility.
Investments in generation plants, as well as in transmission and distribution networks, have led to a growing share of green energy in the country's overall energy mix.
The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) had quadrupled the renewable energy capacity connected to the distribution network by the end of 2022, compared with 2019.
A major milestone for renewable energy was reached in October 2022, when the entire country managed to run entirely on renewable energy for the first time in its history, according to the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO).
Although grid congestion has become an issue, policy measures, technical solutions, and storage already offer practical ways to boost photovoltaic penetration, the 2022 report notes.
Despite major economic and logistical disruptions, the market's resilience has been remarkable and «demonstrates the potential of the technology to limit the economic downturn and social damage caused by regional or global disruptions».
Greece has invested heavily in renewable energy in recent years, and islands such as Tilos and Chalki have become energy self-sufficient in an ongoing effort to turn Greek island communities into models of a green economy, energy autonomy, digital innovation, and ecological mobility.
Investments in generation plants, as well as in transmission and distribution networks, have led to a growing share of green energy in the country's overall energy mix.
The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) had quadrupled the renewable energy capacity connected to the distribution network by the end of 2022, compared with 2019.
A major milestone for renewable energy was reached in October 2022, when the entire country managed to run entirely on renewable energy for the first time in its history, according to the Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO).
New technology makes solar energy accessible and efficient
According to World Population Review, the origins of modern solar cells can be traced to 1954, when Bell Labs introduced the first photovoltaic device capable of producing a usable amount of electricity.
The energy crisis of the 1970 sparked interest in using solar energy among both residential and industrial users, but the high cost of manufacturing solar cells, a relatively new technology at the time, made large-scale applications impractical.
New technologies applied to the manufacture and functionality of solar photovoltaic cells over the years have dramatically reduced their cost, including a drop of more than 59% over the past decade.
The cost of solar panels and their installation has since become even more affordable and cost-effective for all types of users, although penetration varies considerably across different parts of the world.
As a clean, green, cheap, and renewable energy source, solar power could solve the global energy crisis and save humanity from the harmful effects of fossil fuels.
Source: GreekReporter
The energy crisis of the 1970 sparked interest in using solar energy among both residential and industrial users, but the high cost of manufacturing solar cells, a relatively new technology at the time, made large-scale applications impractical.
New technologies applied to the manufacture and functionality of solar photovoltaic cells over the years have dramatically reduced their cost, including a drop of more than 59% over the past decade.
The cost of solar panels and their installation has since become even more affordable and cost-effective for all types of users, although penetration varies considerably across different parts of the world.
As a clean, green, cheap, and renewable energy source, solar power could solve the global energy crisis and save humanity from the harmful effects of fossil fuels.
Source: GreekReporter
