The global utility-scale solar sector is forecast to exceed 7 TW of installed capacity by 2030, representing around 65% of the 11 TW renewable energy target set at the COP28 United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2023, according to the SolarPower Europe Global Market Outlook 2025-2029.
Industry projections indicate that annual solar installations could reach 1 TW by the end of the decade. Growth will be driven by smart technologies, automation, predictive analytics and advanced hardware. Perovskite-silicon hybrid modules are boosting output by up to 30%, solar trackers are being designed for all-terrain use with hail mitigation and inverters are offering improved voltage regulation and reactive power control to support grid stability.
Computational software is also reshaping the sector. “With computational design software, multiple iterations can be generated per site, allowing engineers to compare and identify the most efficient and cost-effective layouts – all in a day,” says Paul Nel, CEO of 7SecondSolar. “By automating repetitive design tasks, engineers are freed to focus on value engineering, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in project optimisation.”
Energy storage will play a critical role with lithium-ion batteries achieving efficiencies of up to 95% and silicon-graphite composite anodes improving energy density by 30%. Modular and hybrid storage solutions are also emerging to meet different project requirements.
AI is being applied increasingly across plant management – from inverter optimisation to real-time panel tracking and energy forecasting.
