The World’s Biggest Solar Farm

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Biggest Solar Farm , Solar power is steadily transforming the energy landscape, with global solar capacity reaching about 1.5 terawatts (TW) by the end of 2023. This surge can be attributed to an 82% drop in solar panel costs since 2010. By 2025, worldwide solar capacity is projected to hit 2.3 TW, a significant step towards the 432 TW needed to meet all of Earth’s electricity demands.

This growth is primarily driven by commercial solar farms rather than residential panels, as incentives, reduced costs, and technological advancements spur their expansion globally.

The World’s Largest Solar Farms

Let’s explore the 15 largest solar farms globally, examining their capacity, investment, and the outlook for solar power.

Our data is sourced from official websites, the NS Energy Business solar project database, and other resources like NASA.

1. Xinjiang Solar Farm — China

The Xinjiang solar farm in China recently became the largest globally, boasting a 5GW solar capacity. Connected to the grid on June 3, 2024, it eclipses all others in size, capable of powering countries like Luxembourg or Papua New Guinea for an entire year.

2. Golmud Solar Park — China

Ranking second, the Golmud Solar Park in China has a 2.8 GW capacity. Nearly seven million solar panels contribute to this clean energy giant. With plans to expand to 16 GW in the next five to six years, Golmud’s potential is immense. To put it into perspective, one gigawatt can power a million UK homes for an hour or illuminate 100 million LED bulbs.

3. Bhadla Solar Park — India

Bhadla Solar Park in India, visible from space, is the second largest, with a 2.7GW capacity. Spanning 14,000 acres (56 km²), it equals 3% of London’s surface area or nearly Manhattan’s size. The Rajasthan region’s average solar irradiation of 7.57 kWh per m² daily and 300 sunny days a year make it ideal for solar power

The site was developed through multiple corporations auctioning solar capacity. The Solar Energy Corporation of India auctioned off 250MW, drawing bids from 27 companies.

4. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park — UAE

In a country famed for its oil reserves, the UAE hosts the third-largest solar farm globally. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (MBR) covers 52,881 acres (214 km²). Although larger than the second and third largest farms, MBR’s current 2.62GW capacity aims to reach 5GW by 2030. Already powering 270,000 homes and offsetting 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually, it cost $13.6 billion, the priciest on our list.

5. Pavagada Solar Park — India

India’s Pavagada Solar Park ranks fifth, spanning 13,000 acres (53 km²) with a 2.05GW capacity. Part of India’s $20 billion investment in renewable energy, it cost $2 billion to build.

6. Benban Solar Park — Egypt

Benban Solar Park, Africa’s largest and sixth worldwide, offers a 6.3 kWh per m² daily solar potential. Built for $4 billion, it has a 1.8GW capacity, powering numerous Egyptian homes as part of the Nubian Suns Feed-In Tariff program.

7. Tengger Desert Solar Park — China

Another testament to China’s solar ambitions, the Tengger Desert Solar Park spans 10,626 acres (43 km²) with a 1.5GW capacity, supplying power to 600,000 homes.

8. Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Power Project — Abu Dhabi

Though not the most powerful at 1.2GW, the Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Power Project is the largest single-site solar farm. Covering 1,977 acres (8 km²), it powers about 90,000 homes. Its use of 1,430 waterless cleaning robots over 497 miles (800 km) daily saves water in the desert climate.

9. Datong Solar Power Top Runner Base — China

The Datong solar farm in Shanxi, China, once complete, will exceed 3GW, but its current capacity is around 1.1GW. Owned by Panda Green Energy, it features panels arranged in a panda shape, using dark monocrystalline silicon and lighter thin-film cells. However, construction has faced controversy over forced Uygur labor allegations.

10. Jinchuan Solar Park — China

Located in China’s north, Jinchuan Solar Park benefits from abundant sunshine and a semi-arid climate. With a 1.03GW output, it powers thousands of homes.

11. Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park — India

With a 1GW capacity, the Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park in India powers almost the entire area during peak sunshine, producing 8 GWh in clear conditions common in a region with 35–40 rainy days annually.

12. Yanchi Ningxia Solar Park — China

China’s Yanchi Ningxia Solar Park features 2.5 million solar panels, with a 1GW capacity powering nearby cities. It also supports a goji berry farm, turning a barren desert into a productive oasis for local communities.

13. Villanueva Plant — Mexico

The Villanueva Plant, at 754MW, is the largest in the Americas. Built for $650 million, it powers nearly 1.2 million Mexican homes with a space-efficient horizontal single-axle design, generating 1.7 TWh annually.

14. Kamuthi Solar Power Station — India

India’s Kamuthi Solar Power Station contributes to the country’s global solar rank. Its 648 MW capacity powers around 265,000 homes in Tamil Nadu.

15. Francisco Pizarro — Spain

Europe’s Francisco Pizarro Solar Plant in Spain is the 15th largest, with a 590MW capacity powering 334,400 homes. During construction, significant archaeological remains were discovered and responsibly excavated.

The Best Countries for Solar Power: How Does Your Region Compare?

China dominates the top 15, with five solar farms and a total solar capacity of 2,919GW, which is 37% of global installed solar power. The US follows in second with 12.3%. Despite having multiple large farms, India ranks fifth in solar capacity due to fewer residential solar panels.

For a detailed breakdown, check our solar panel statistics guide.

The Future of Solar Farms

Solar farms are crucial for expanding clean energy access, especially for those unable to install personal solar systems. They significantly reduce emissions, a vital step in combating climate change.

Emerging solar farm types, like floating and agrivoltaic farms, might become more prevalent. Here’s a look at solar’s future globally:

The Future of Solar in the UK

The UK aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with solar at the forefront. Solar farms like Shotwick (72.2MW) and Lynham (69.8MW) already contribute significantly, despite limited land availability.

Projects like Cleve Hill Solar Park, poised to be the UK’s largest with 800,000 panels, signal further growth. However, planning permission refusals are at a five-year high, highlighting the need to balance development with preserving natural areas and using brownfield land. Despite challenges, solar panel popularity in the UK is rising, with 69% of Brits willing to buy homes with installed panels, up from 65% last year.

The Future of Solar in Africa

Africa’s deserts, receiving up to 5.47 kWh per m² daily, present enormous solar potential. Yet financial challenges persist, with the International Energy Agency estimating a $2 trillion investment need over 20 years for sustainable infrastructure. China leads energy investments in Africa, pledging $37 billion, though solar receives a small portion.

The Future of Solar in Asia

With vast solar farms, Asia leads both commercially and residentially. China’s 217 watts-per-capita may seem low, but considering its 1.4 billion population, the figure is substantial. Aiming for 600GW by 2030, analysts project China could achieve this by 2026. India targets 300 GW by 2030, alongside Japan’s 150 GW, the Philippines’ 30 GW, and Indonesia’s 5 GW, bringing Asia’s capacity to 1.4 TW within eight years. Europe aims for 1 TW by 2030, highlighting Asia’s ambitious solar agenda.

The Future of Solar in Europe

Europe’s energy crisis has accelerated solar adoption, with 19 governments boosting decarbonization plans. EU countries aim to raise renewable electricity from 55% to 63% by 2030, reducing fossil fuel generation by 31%. The Russia-Ukraine conflict underscored fossil fuel volatility, spurring increased solar targets. Germany, reliant on Russian gas, plans to reach 200GW by 2030, adding to its

66GW capacity. France aims for 100 GW by 2050, a significant rise from its current 15.7 GW. The EU Solar PV Industry Alliance’s $4.5 billion annual investment plan aims for 60GW by 2025.

The Future of Solar in North America

The US solar market remains robust, with an 18.2% growth in 2022, accounting for 6% of the country’s electricity, and a 13% increase in utility-scale solar installations. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act is expected to significantly enhance the US solar market.

Regions to Watch in the Solar Space

Regions like Chile, with one of the world’s largest solar resources, are capitalizing on this potential, while other countries in the Middle East and Africa are increasingly investing in solar infrastructure.

Conclusion

The future of solar energy is bright and expansive, with solar farms leading the charge in global energy transition. As technology advances and costs continue to fall, solar power is set to play an even more significant role in meeting the world’s energy needs sustainably.

FAQs

1. How do solar farms benefit the environment?

Solar farms reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, promoting cleaner air and a sustainable energy future.

2. Why are solar farms preferred over residential panels?

Solar farms offer larger-scale energy production, making them more cost-effective and efficient for meeting substantial energy demands.

3. How do floating solar farms work?

Floating solar farms utilize panels on water bodies, maximizing space efficiency and reducing land use, while potentially lowering water evaporation rates.

4. What challenges do solar farms face?

Challenges include land use conflicts, regulatory hurdles, and initial investment costs, but technological advancements and policy support are mitigating these issues.

5. What is the role of agrivoltaic farms?

Agrivoltaic farms combine agriculture and solar power, allowing crops to grow under solar panels, optimizing land use and increasing biodiversity.