This report examines the unprecedented growth of solar energy and its evolving role in global energy systems. Seventy years after the invention of the first silicon solar cell, solar power has become the fastest-growing energy source in history, reaching a global installed capacity of 2,205 GW in 2024, with a record annual addition of 548 GW.

While this rapid expansion is driven by technological advancements, falling costs, and increasing integration into mainstream energy markets, it also reveals persistent disparities. Growth remains uneven, with regions such as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) continuing to face significant investment and access challenges.