Why is solar energy growing so much?

Predicting the future of renewable energy has never been easy. In the last twenty years, even the most authoritative international organizations have underestimated the growth ofsolar energy. But this underestimation, fortunately, has happened By default.

Today, photovoltaic technology stands out as one of the most dynamic sectors in the entire energy sector, thanks to a exponential growth that has surpassed all expectations. But what are the factors behind this success? And what does the future tell us?

The growth of photovoltaic: an unexpected acceleration

An emblematic example is that ofInternational Energy Agency (IEA), who in the first decade of the 2000s predicted that the global cumulative capacity of photovoltaic would reach 244 GW only in 2030. In reality, this threshold has been reached 15 years early, already in 2015.

The reasons for an unexpected boom

• Constant technological development: photovoltaic modules have become more efficient and less expensive.
• Growth of environmental awareness: attention to sustainability has pushed governments, businesses and citizens to invest in renewables.
• Economic convenience: today solar is, in many cases, the most economical form of energy to install.

The impact of technology on solar diffusion

Behind the expansion of photovoltaic energy there are not only favorable incentives and regulations, but also a silent technological revolution that has changed times, costs and performance.

A rate of growth unthinkable twenty years ago

• In the early 2000s, it was needed a whole year to install solar panels capable of producing 1 GW of power.
• Today, that result is achieved in less than 24 hours, thanks to the industrial scalability of the sector and to the constantly growing demand.
• Photovoltaic production no longer concerns only large industrial plants, but involves:
  • Household installations
  • Balcony systems
  • Shared solar parks
  • Agrisolar and agrivoltaic plants

This data does not include many small installations, often Not officially surveyed, which means that actual growth is probably even larger than indicated by official statistics.

Photovoltaic in the world: where are we today

According to available data, solar energy today represents about 7% of global electricity production, up from 5% the previous year. It is a constant progress, but in any case partial: it means that more than 90% of the world's electricity still comes from other sources.

The global energy mix in 2025

• 22% from other renewable sources (hydroelectric, wind, biomass)
• 9% From nuclear
• 62% from fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)

Energy from fossil sources continues to dominate, despite rising raw material costs and the environmental impact of climate-altering emissions.

Italy and solar energy: a leading position

In the European landscape, Italy stands out for the penetration of renewable sources into its electricity mix. In 2025:

• The 41% of the electricity consumed in the country it was produced from renewable sources.
• Of this share, about a third was generated by photovoltaic systems.

Italy, also thanks to its favorable climate and state incentives, is today among the leading countries in solar production per capita.

The challenges still to be faced

Despite the solar boom, there is no lack of critical issues. Some of these have hindered the faster deployment of panels in the past, but technology has already provided effective answers.

1. The accumulation of energy produced

One of the historic limitations of photovoltaic is the discontinuity of production (only during the day, and in the presence of sun). But today, thanks to increasingly high-performance batteries, the problem is getting smaller:

• Reducing battery costs: -90% in the last 15 years.
• Improved efficiency: greater storage capacity in smaller spaces.

2. The use of rare minerals

Photovoltaic panels and batteries require strategic metals (such as lithium, cobalt, tellurium). Concerns about availability and costs are still current, but:

• New discoveries of mineral deposits they are expanding the offer.
• Technologies of advanced recycling they make it possible to recover precious metals from:
  • Exhausted batteries
  • End of life photovoltaic modules

3. Environmental impacts of mining

Mineral extraction has an impact, but decidedly lower compared to the emissions produced by fossil fuels. In addition, the life cycle of a solar panel is:

• Più long (20-30 years on average)
• Più circulating, thanks to the recycling of materials

Solar as an economic opportunity

In addition to representing an ecological choice, solar is also a sector in rapid financial expansion, capable of generating value for investors, families and businesses.

Accessible and widespread investments

Projects such as shared solar parks than GridShare demonstrate that:

• It is possible participate in the energy transition even without installing a domestic system.
• Citizens and businesses can buy shares in existing plants, obtaining an economic and environmental return.

This democratization of energy is making photovoltaic more inclusive It is also common among those who do not have a roof or land on which to install the panels.

A look at the future: what to expect from photovoltaic

The trends indicate that photovoltaic will continue to grow at a rapid pace, favored by:

• Constant reduction of installation costs
• European and national regulatory push
• Increased environmental awareness

According to the updated IEA projections, by By 2030, solar energy could become the main source of electricity production in many countries, surpassing coal and natural gas.

The European objectives

THEEuropean Union Aim to achieve:

• The 42.5% of energy from renewable sources by 2030 (RED III directive)
• Climate neutrality by 2050

To achieve these objectives, it will be crucial to accelerate on:

• Large-scale photovoltaic installations
• Renewable energy communities
• Digitalization and smart grid

Conclusion: solar is no longer the future, it's the present

Solar energy has already surpassed all forecasts: it is efficient, scalable, accessible and sustainable. The technological and logistical challenges remain, but the answers are concrete and already in the field.

Investing in photovoltaic today — both personally and institutionally — is not only an ethical choice, but also a cost-effective decision.

Photovoltaic is no longer a promise: it is a consolidated reality. The question now is not whether solar will dominate the energy market of the future, but How fast will it do it.