Solar energy holds high potential for utility-scale power generation. It is estimated that solar energy received by the earth in a year, has the potential to provide 1,000 times of total annual world energy consumption, though it contributes only 0.02% of world's total power, as the technology continues to be predominantly unexplored.

Solar power generation technologies can primarily be segregated into two categories. The first is direct solar technologies (also called solar cell or solar photovoltaic) which generate electricity directly from the sunlight. The second are indirect technologies (also called concentrated solar power technologies) which use the heat of the sunlight to generate electricity.

Currently, both direct solar technologies and indirect solar technologies deliver efficiencies ranging from 12-15%. However, direct solar technologies are preferred for installation due to better government incentives. Currently, the most prominent types of direct solar technologies are crystalline solar PV and thin-films. Crystalline solar PV holds close to 85% of the total market share, leaving the remainder to thin-films.

The growth of indirect solar technologies is expected to have large volume growth in the future on the grounds of low cost of power generation and integration with heat storage systems such as molten salt. The report provides insight on solar power generation technologies, recent developments, legislative framework in various regions and the future outlook.

Use this report to...

- Analyze the potential of solar power compared to other renewables regarding installed capacity, investment, growth, and economics.

- Achieve a comprehensive understanding of solar power generation technologies working principles, installed capacity, and efficiencies.

- Comprehend current developments in each of the solar power technologies along with major players, and economics.

- Assess the potential of solar power technologies in various regions including Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa - covering installed capacity, legislative framework, drivers, resistors, and the future outlook.

- Understand the future growth trend for prominent solar power technologies with projected installed capacity by technology

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