Beyond large projects, distributed solar is playing a growing role in the energy transition. GEM’s Global Solar Power Tracker records nearly 900 GW of operating distributed solar capacity across 31 countries, representing about 42 per cent of all existing and prospective solar capacity worldwide, based on IEA estimates.
However, deployment remains heavily concentrated. China alone accounts for about 489 GW of operating distributed solar capacity — more than seven times that of Germany. Several G7 countries, including Germany, the United States, Italy, Japan and France, feature among the leading contributors, but uptake across much of the developing world remains limited.
Distributed solar could significantly improve energy access, cut electricity costs and strengthen resilience in least developed countries, if supported by enabling policies, financing and grid integration, the report said.