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    Global Average Solar Capacity

    Last updated: February 18, 2026

    230W

    watts/capita

    Global installed solar PV capacity is approximately 230 watts per capita, totaling 1,810 GW. Australia leads at 1,460W/capita, followed by Netherlands (1,180W) and Germany (870W). Solar is now the cheapest form of new electricity in most of the world.

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    Historical Trend

    Source: IRENA

    Global Average Solar Capacity by Country

    Country Value (watts/capita) ↓Source
    Australia1,460CER
    Netherlands1,180CBS
    Germany870ISE
    Japan680METI
    United States510SEIA
    South Korea440MOTIE
    China420NEA
    United Arab Emirates340IRENA
    France320RTE
    United Kingdom260BEIS
    Brazil180ABSOLAR
    India60MNRE
    Saudi Arabia50ECRA

    Why This Average Exists

    Solar energy is the fastest-growing power source in history. Tracking per-capita capacity shows how quickly countries are deploying this clean energy technology.

    Factors That Affect Global Average Solar Capacity

    • Solar irradiance
    • Government subsidies
    • Panel costs
    • Grid integration
    • Rooftop vs utility scale
    • Net metering policies

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Methodology & Data Sources

    The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

    Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

    All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.

    Further Reading