● Solar · PV + CSP
2396.7 GW [15]
2025 reported capacity · status unknown
2015–2025 reported change
Global · 2015–2025 · reported capacity
Solar and wind both expanded in the reported series. Solar shows the larger absolute and percentage increase over 2015–2025. [49]
Capacity is the potential generating power of installed equipment. It is not the amount of electricity actually produced. [39]
All 22 requested technology-year cells have a reported value. No requested value is missing. All 22 reporting statuses are unknown: the retained exports do not identify final, provisional or estimated observations. [42]
Reading the change
Solar’s reported increase was 2,170.1 GW, compared with 874.6 GW for wind. [50]
From their respective 2015 baselines, reported solar capacity grew 957.7 % and wind grew 210.1 %. [51]
Every requested year has a reported value, but final, provisional and estimated statuses remain unknown. Treat these as a qualified source report. [52]
Growth compares the same retained 2015 and 2025 reported-series endpoints. It is not a measure of physical additions under a verified constant methodology. [43] [45] Values are rounded to one decimal place for display; calculations and downloads retain source precision. [38]
All 22 requested technology-year cells have a reported value. No requested value is missing. All 22 reporting statuses are unknown: the retained exports do not identify final, provisional or estimated observations. [42]
| Year | Solar (GW) | Wind (GW) | Reporting status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 226.6 GW [5] | 416.4 GW [16] | Unknown for both |
| 2016 | 298.5 GW [6] | 467.3 GW [17] | Unknown for both |
| 2017 | 392.3 GW [7] | 515.0 GW [18] | Unknown for both |
| 2018 | 487.8 GW [8] | 563.5 GW [19] | Unknown for both |
| 2019 | 590.1 GW [9] | 623.1 GW [20] | Unknown for both |
| 2020 | 721.2 GW [10] | 733.3 GW [21] | Unknown for both |
| 2021 | 865.9 GW [11] | 824.2 GW [22] | Unknown for both |
| 2022 | 1057.9 GW [12] | 903.0 GW [23] | Unknown for both |
| 2023 | 1424.0 GW [13] | 1018.3 GW [24] | Unknown for both |
| 2024 | 1883.2 GW [14] | 1132.6 GW [25] | Unknown for both |
| 2025 | 2396.7 GW [15] | 1291.0 GW [26] | Unknown for both |
Solar includes PV and concentrated solar power; wind includes onshore and offshore. Both include on- and off-grid installations as reported. PV AC/DC ratings and changes in coverage are unresolved; these are reported levels, without a physical-harmonization claim. [41]
The copied methodology describes published data rounded to the nearest megawatt, while the retained gigawatt exports contain finer digits; the precision difference is unresolved. [38] Source digits are retained without claiming equivalent physical accuracy.
The selected mirror’s July-edition provenance and the primary catalog’s later update label are distinct; their numeric revision identity is unresolved in the retained evidence. [36] This page makes no claim to use the newest catalog values.
The retained evidence supplies an OWID-reported IRENA publication day; primary corroboration of the exact day is unresolved. [35] The indicator update timestamps do not identify which numerical observations changed.
Research cutoff: 2026-10-27 UTC. Edition, datasetVersion, metadata update, numeric revision and retrieval are separate date roles. Numeric revision dates remain unknown.
All chart marks and numerical statements cite the retained OWID delivery of IRENA data. OWID is a mirror and processor, not independent confirmation. Links identify source routes; this build made no new source requests.
[1] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
IRENA’s copied methodology describes renewable power capacity as maximum net generating capacity of power plants and other installations that use renewable sources to produce electricity.
Claim CLM-capacity-population@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[2] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For most countries and technologies, the copied IRENA methodology describes capacity installed and connected at the end of the calendar year.
Claim CLM-year-end-qualification@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[3] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The delivered solar indicator describes total on- and off-grid electricity capacity, including photovoltaic and concentrated solar power.
Claim CLM-solar-inclusions@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[4] Wind metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The delivered wind indicator describes total on- and off-grid electricity capacity, including onshore and offshore wind.
Claim CLM-wind-inclusions@2 · source SRC-2ba05391@2 · retained snapshot b254d8429067028e6c3f83c24b4052538f2db69ac4683972753ee39c03778fac[5] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2015, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 226.5979 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2015@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[6] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2016, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 298.50723 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2016@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[7] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2017, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 392.3427 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2017@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[8] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2018, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 487.84647 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2018@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[9] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2019, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 590.1197 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2019@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[10] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2020, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 721.2222 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2020@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[11] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2021, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 865.921 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2021@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[12] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2022, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 1057.8683 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2022@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[13] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2023, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 1423.988 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2023@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[14] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2024, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 1883.1776 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2024@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[15] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2025, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition solar CSV reports 2396.7092 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-solar-2025@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[16] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2015, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 416.38437 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2015@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[17] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2016, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 467.3158 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2016@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[18] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2017, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 514.97186 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2017@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[19] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2018, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 563.5159 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2018@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[20] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2019, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 623.076 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2019@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[21] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2020, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 733.2712 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2020@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[22] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2021, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 824.1905 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2021@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[23] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2022, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 903.0115 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2022@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[24] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2023, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 1018.3177 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2023@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[25] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2024, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 1132.5869 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2024@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[26] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
For 2025, the retained OWID-delivered IRENA July-edition wind CSV reports 1291.015 GW for World; the reporting status is unknown.
Claim CLM-wind-2025@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[27] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Both retained histories are attributed to IRENA Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, identified by the origin metadata’s July publication URL and delivered through Our World in Data.
Claim CLM-edition@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[28] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Both full metadata captures label the OWID dataset version 2026-07-28.
Claim CLM-dataset-version@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[29] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
OWID solar indicator metadata reports updatedAt 2026-09-09T23:16:48.000Z.
Claim CLM-solar-indicator-update@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[30] Wind metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
OWID wind indicator metadata reports updatedAt 2026-09-09T23:16:49.000Z.
Claim CLM-wind-indicator-update@2 · source SRC-2ba05391@2 · retained snapshot b254d8429067028e6c3f83c24b4052538f2db69ac4683972753ee39c03778fac[31] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
OWID origin metadata reports publication on 2026-07-01 for the IRENA edition.
Claim CLM-owid-reported-publication@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[32] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The retained solar World CSV supplies a reported capacity entry for every requested year from 2015 through 2025.
Claim CLM-solar-requested-range@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[33] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The retained wind World CSV supplies a reported capacity entry for every requested year from 2015 through 2025.
Claim CLM-wind-requested-range@2 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[34] IRENA catalog · IRENA
The retained IRENA regional-table selector labels its latest update 9/28/2026.
Claim CLM-primary-catalog-update@2 · source SRC-84d09c27@1 · retained snapshot b2f48cd3e594113745a05919057debd890c0025a4d155486500e5b6795813b51[35] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The retained evidence supplies an OWID-reported IRENA publication day; primary corroboration of the exact day is unresolved.
Claim CLM-publication-day-limitation@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[36] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The selected mirror’s July-edition provenance and the primary catalog’s later update label are distinct; their numeric revision identity is unresolved in the retained evidence.
Claim CLM-vintage-limitation@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[37] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The delivered solar and wind CSVs contain entity, code, year and capacity columns without a per-cell status column; reporting statuses remain unknown.
Claim CLM-status-limitation@2 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[38] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
The copied methodology describes published data rounded to the nearest megawatt, while the retained gigawatt exports contain finer digits; the precision difference is unresolved.
Claim CLM-precision-limitation@2 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[39] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Capacity is the potential generating power of installed equipment. It is not the amount of electricity actually produced.
Claim CLM-preview-capacity@1 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[40] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Annual reported capacity in GW. The publisher describes year-end installed and connected capacity for most countries and technologies; timing exceptions and detailed coverage remain unresolved.
Claim CLM-preview-convention@1 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[41] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Solar includes PV and concentrated solar power; wind includes onshore and offshore. Both include on- and off-grid installations as reported. PV AC/DC ratings and changes in coverage are unresolved; these are reported levels, without a physical-harmonization claim.
Claim CLM-preview-qualifications@1 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[42] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
All 22 requested technology-year cells have a reported value. No requested value is missing. All 22 reporting statuses are unknown: the retained exports do not identify final, provisional or estimated observations.
Claim CLM-preview-coverage@1 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[43] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Solar reported capacity change from 2015 to 2025: 2,170.1 GW.
Claim CLM-preview-solar-difference@1 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[44] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Solar reported capacity percentage growth from 2015 to 2025: 957.7 %.
Claim CLM-preview-solar-percent-change@1 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[45] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Wind reported capacity change from 2015 to 2025: 874.6 GW.
Claim CLM-preview-wind-difference@1 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[46] Wind CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Wind reported capacity percentage growth from 2015 to 2025: 210.1 %.
Claim CLM-preview-wind-percent-change@1 · source SRC-081b1fe8@2 · retained snapshot c3a3ea5d3273c730e89c794cbb98ead02a06ee2edaea040d2c18ca007e9174ad[47] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Solar minus wind reported capacity change: 1295.5 GW.
Claim CLM-preview-gap-difference@1 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[48] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Solar minus wind reported percentage growth: 747.6 percentage points.
Claim CLM-preview-gap-percent-change@1 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[49] Solar metadata · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Solar and wind both expanded in the reported series. Solar shows the larger absolute and percentage increase over 2015–2025.
Claim CLM-preview-main@1 · source SRC-f2c241a1@2 · retained snapshot efea9ff8b81a310c463805a0e7294930dbec88ff1ba0ba4a3af341aba0f59e3a[50] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Solar’s reported increase was 2,170.1 GW, compared with 874.6 GW for wind.
Claim CLM-preview-takeaway-absolute@1 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[51] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
From their respective 2015 baselines, reported solar capacity grew 957.7 % and wind grew 210.1 %.
Claim CLM-preview-takeaway-relative@1 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585[52] Solar CSV · Our World in Data; upstream International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Every requested year has a reported value, but final, provisional and estimated statuses remain unknown. Treat these as a qualified source report.
Claim CLM-preview-takeaway-status@1 · source SRC-40c6e996@2 · retained snapshot a101f4dec17782743ded8d14c2e13573effb51e3d5e84e4b5f3315fcbe695585