Market overview
The global solar power market is worth USD 171 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 555 bn by 2036, growing at a 12.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Utility-scale photovoltaic is the largest by type segment.
| Scope | Revenue from electricity generated by utility-scale and distributed solar photovoltaic and solar thermal plants, valued at the price received for power sold. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 150 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 171 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 555 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 12.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 3,141 TWh |
| Volume 2036 | 12,483 TWh |
| Average price 2026 | USD 54,440,000 per TWh |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Solar Power market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 171 bn |
| 2027 | USD 192 bn |
| 2028 | USD 216 bn |
| 2029 | USD 243 bn |
| 2030 | USD 274 bn |
| 2031 | USD 308 bn |
| 2032 | USD 347 bn |
| 2033 | USD 390 bn |
| 2034 | USD 439 bn |
| 2035 | USD 494 bn |
| 2036 | USD 555 bn |
Solar Power market segmentation
By type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utility-scale photovoltaic | 62.0% | 62.6% | USD 106 bn | 12.6% |
| Distributed commercial and industrial | 20.0% | 22.1% | USD 34.2 bn | 13.6% |
| Residential rooftop | 14.0% | 12.9% | USD 23.9 bn | 11.6% |
| Concentrated solar power | 4.0% | 2.3% | USD 6.8 bn | 6.6% |
By ownership
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent power producers | 52.0% | 55.6% | USD 88.9 bn | 13.2% |
| Utilities | 30.0% | 26.8% | USD 51.3 bn | 11.2% |
| Households and businesses | 18.0% | 17.6% | USD 30.8 bn | 12.2% |
By module technology
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n-type TOPCon | 32.0% | 50.0% | USD 54.7 bn | 17.6% |
| PERC | 46.0% | 18.0% | USD 78.7 bn | 2.4% |
| Heterojunction and back-contact | 10.0% | 20.0% | USD 17.1 bn | 20.6% |
| Thin film and other | 12.0% | 12.0% | USD 20.5 bn | 12.5% |
By grid connection
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grid-connected | 88.0% | 85.0% | USD 150 bn | 12.1% |
| Hybrid with storage | 8.0% | 11.0% | USD 13.7 bn | 16.1% |
| Off-grid | 4.0% | 4.0% | USD 6.8 bn | 12.5% |
By revenue model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power purchase agreements | 48.0% | 45.0% | USD 82.1 bn | 11.8% |
| Merchant sales | 24.0% | 27.0% | USD 41.0 bn | 13.8% |
| Self-consumption savings | 28.0% | 28.0% | USD 47.9 bn | 12.5% |
Top 25 countries for solar power by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 83.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 95.6%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 61.6 bn | 36.0% | USD 188 bn | 11.8% |
| 2 | United States | USD 23.9 bn | 14.0% | USD 73.3 bn | 11.8% |
| 3 | India | USD 15.4 bn | 9.0% | USD 73.3 bn | 16.9% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 8.6 bn | 5.0% | USD 20.0 bn | 8.9% |
| 5 | Brazil | USD 6.8 bn | 4.0% | USD 30.0 bn | 15.9% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 6.8 bn | 4.0% | USD 14.4 bn | 7.8% |
| 7 | Australia | USD 6.0 bn | 3.5% | USD 15.5 bn | 10.0% |
| 8 | Spain | USD 5.1 bn | 3.0% | USD 15.5 bn | 11.7% |
| 9 | Italy | USD 4.3 bn | 2.5% | USD 11.1 bn | 10.0% |
| 10 | Chile | USD 3.4 bn | 2.0% | USD 12.8 bn | 14.1% |
| 11 | France | USD 3.3 bn | 1.9% | USD 10.9 bn | 12.7% |
| 12 | United Kingdom | USD 2.5 bn | 1.5% | USD 8.3 bn | 12.7% |
| 13 | Mexico | USD 2.0 bn | 1.2% | USD 6.7 bn | 12.7% |
| 14 | South Africa | USD 1.7 bn | 1.0% | USD 6.2 bn | 13.8% |
| 15 | Turkey | USD 1.5 bn | 0.9% | USD 5.6 bn | 13.8% |
| 16 | Netherlands | USD 1.4 bn | 0.8% | USD 4.5 bn | 12.6% |
| 17 | Poland | USD 1.3 bn | 0.7% | USD 4.2 bn | 12.7% |
| 18 | Saudi Arabia | USD 1.2 bn | 0.7% | USD 4.7 bn | 14.7% |
| 19 | United Arab Emirates | USD 1.1 bn | 0.6% | USD 4.0 bn | 13.8% |
| 20 | South Korea | USD 1.0 bn | 0.6% | USD 3.4 bn | 12.7% |
| 21 | Egypt | USD 992 mn | 0.6% | USD 3.6 bn | 13.8% |
| 22 | Pakistan | USD 940 mn | 0.6% | USD 3.4 bn | 13.9% |
| 23 | Vietnam | USD 906 mn | 0.5% | USD 3.6 bn | 14.8% |
| 24 | Philippines | USD 855 mn | 0.5% | USD 3.1 bn | 13.8% |
| 25 | Indonesia | USD 838 mn | 0.5% | USD 3.1 bn | 13.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 7.5 bn | 4.4% | USD 25.8 bn | 13.1% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- NextEra Energy
- Iberdrola
- Enel
- China Three Gorges
- State Power Investment Corporation
- China Huaneng Group
- TotalEnergies
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Adani Green Energy
- ACWA Power
- Masdar
- Brookfield Renewable
- Engie
- RWE
- AES Corporation
- Acciona Energia
- Recurrent Energy
- EDP Renovaveis
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- ReNew
- Scatec
- Enlight Renewable Energy
- Lightsource bp
- X-Elio
- Voltalia
- Neoen
- Avaada Energy
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the solar power market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 12.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by type, by ownership, by module technology, by grid connection, by revenue model. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the solar power market?
The global solar power market is estimated at USD 150 bn in 2025 and USD 171 bn in 2026.
How fast will the solar power market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 555 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 12.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 384 bn.
Which country is the largest market for solar power?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 61.6 bn in 2026, 36.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 59.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 16.9% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which solar power segment is largest?
In the by type split, Utility-scale photovoltaic is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading solar power companies?
Global leaders include NextEra Energy, Iberdrola, Enel, China Three Gorges.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Services and Utilities
- Repair and OverhaulUSD 168 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Air FreightUSD 166 bn · 3.8% CAGR
- Utility Scale SolarUSD 166 bn · 5.0% CAGR
- Carbon CreditUSD 178 bn · 9.0% CAGR
- Wind PowerUSD 163 bn · 8.0% CAGR
- Nuclear PowerUSD 180 bn · 3.5% CAGR
- Public TransportUSD 184 bn · 4.5% CAGR
- Tax AdvisoryUSD 159 bn · 6.2% CAGR
← Solar Farm Predictive Maintenance Monitoring Solid Waste Collection →