# What is driving the global adoption of solar?

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/04/what-is-driving-the-global-adoption-of-solar/
- Published: 2017-04-26T21:14:07-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

As the cost of solar installation drops, the amount of installed solar capacity 
is rising on a [global](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/with-the-global-solar-energy-market-in-flux-and-many-countries-facing-economic-uncertainty-what-are-the-prospects-for-solar/)
scale. This infomap shows how different countries are responding the global challenge
of reducing fossil fuel requirements based on their population. The map shows the
total installed solar per capita (installed solar capacity measured in watts, divided
by the population). But why are some countries doing better than others? We’ll take
a look in just a moment. First, check out this solar map from expertsure.com using
data from the [International Energy Agency](https://web.archive.org/web/20180728223314/http://www.iea-pvps.org:80/fileadmin/dam/public/report/PICS/IEA-PVPS_-__A_Snapshot_of_Global_PV_-_1992-2015_-_Final_2_02.pdf)

[[
 [Solar installed capacity per capita](https://imgur.com/2CWYfAX)

This map is interesting because it shows that even the leading solar markets, such
as China are still lagging when it comes to per capita installation. China produces
the most actual power at 77.42 GW, but that’s still only 31 Watts per person, compared
to 481 Watts for Germany. Let’s take a look at what’s [driving the top 3 countries](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/02/volvo-ex30-cross-country-2026-test-drive-results/).

**Japan**

Japan is a leading PV panel manufacturing market. This gives installers and consumer
access to cheaper equipment with no cross-border transportation costs. Japan also
has an extremely pro-solar government, with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
announcing that 70% of all new homes should be fitted with solar PV. Japan’s very
healthy feed-in tariff (42 Yen/kWh for sub 10kW installations) also plays a major
part in boosting installations. The weather, which provides 4.3 to 4.8 kWh/(m²·day)
of insolation (solar radiation) also helps locals to produce more power.

**Germany**

Germany’s solar production is topping out at 6.9% of the total net electric generation
for the entire country. So that’s with a total installed capacity of 40,000 MW. 
Again, the political system is playing a major role in the boom. All with fierce
targets of 50% of total electric generation to come from renewables by 2030. Also
and 80% by 2050. Germany is clearly not playing around. Especially when it comes
to the environment.

**Australia**

Australia has very similar targets to Germany. Moreover it is on track to generate
80% of total power requirement from renewables by 2050. Australia has large commercial
scale solar panel plants that help with total generation. They have also been under
international pressure to do more. I mean with what many call a perfect climate 
and space for solar installations. This is driving political forces to install more
capacity. All like the Broken Hill commercial plant in New South Wales. Commercial
solar park

⌊Solar Power plant⌉⌊Solar Power plant⌉
 [Photo credit Jeremy Buckingham](https://imgur.com/7lBBHQT)

**With that said:**

Some of the world’s powers are clearly taking a stand. However, how can we push 
this message to the countries that are just not listening? Leave a comment below.
I mean so hopefully we can make the change together.