Solar energy is gaining immense importance in the present times. With global warming breathing heavily on our shoulders, we simply can’t do without wind and solar power. Countries around the world have prepared to develop alternative energy sources to live better.

India, for example, is densely populated and has high solar isolation, which is an ideal combination for going solar. However, on the world map, India lags far behind other countries in solar generation, although the country has made significant progress in wind power generation.

However, they are taking big steps to try to catch up. In July 2009, India unveiled a $19 billion plan to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020. To achieve its goals, the Indian government has decreed that all government buildings, hospitals, and schools must run entirely on solar power. solar.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 countries that use solar energy.

1.Germany

Total usage: 10,000 megawatts

Germany is a world leader in solar energy and aims to be fully 100% renewable by 2050

In 2009 alone, Germany installed 3,806 megawatts of solar power capacity, which is more than Spain’s total capacity and almost eight times more than the US recently installed.

2. Spain

Total use: 3,500 MW

Spain was the world leader in newly installed solar PV (2,605 MW) in 2008, but Germany overtook it as its new installed capacity dropped dramatically (to just 69 MW) in 2009.

The reasons for this drop are attributed to the delay and complexity of a new government subsidy program and a decrease in energy demand due to the economic crisis.

With expectations that both will improve, Spain is expected to ramp up its solar power capacity again this year.

3.Japan

Total use: 2,700 MW

Perhaps a surprise entry at No. 3, Japan has set a lofty solar target of achieving 28 GW by 2020 and 53 GW by 2030.

$9 billion was invested in its solar power program in 2009 alone, and the government also announced a plan to install solar power in 32,000 schools.

4. United States

Total use: 1,800 MW

From a relatively low starting point, solar energy use is expected to rise rapidly in the US over the next few years, due to the large number of solar projects already in the pipeline. These were helped not only by supportive state policies, but also by the lifting of the federal cap on the solar tax credit in 2009.

5.Italy

Total use: 1,300 MW

In 2009, Italy experienced the second largest growth in solar power in the world.

Italians install more solar power every 2 months than California does in a whole year.

6.Czech Republic

Total usage: 600MW

Once again, perhaps a surprising entry on the list. The solar energy market in this country has boomed, due to a generous feed-in tariff and a general reduction in administrative red tape. However, there are some concerns that the boom is unsustainable and that the solar bubble is likely to burst in the next few years.

7.Belgium

Total usage: 450MW

Belgium is a bit of a 2011 solar energy surprise.

Belgium’s success was due to ‘a well-designed Green Certificate scheme (actually functioning as a feed-in tariff), combined with additional tax rebates and self-consumption of electricity’.

8 Chinese

Total usage: 400MW

China is a major manufacturer of solar panels, but has installed very few of them. But that is about to change dramatically.

The Chinese government has recently announced projects totaling about 12 gigawatts of solar power, and when these projects are implemented, China will undoubtedly be at the top of the list.

According to China’s national energy plan, solar power output is expected to reach a total of 20 GW by 2020.

9. France

Total usage: 350MW

France has a well-designed Feed in Tariff system that has encouraged the adoption of solar energy. However, one concern seems to be the amount of production that is not connected to the grid. In 2009, 285 MW of capacity was installed, but only 185 MW was connected to the grid. This is an issue that will clearly have to be addressed.

10.India

Total usage: 200MW

India is developing rapidly and has an increasing demand for electricity. Its climate makes it ideal for solar production and the Indian government has also been making strides in clean energy.

The country also has a target of reaching 20 GW by 2020. Many experts expect India to steadily move up the list in the coming years.

The above list is of course based on large scale commercial projects. If you’d like to read more about how you can individually benefit from solar or wind power, check out the Resource Box below.