Solar power production overtakes nuclear energy globally

Solar power plants produced 2,778 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, surpassing the total output of the world's nuclear reactors.

This shift marks a reversal from a decade ago when nuclear power produced roughly ten times the amount of solar energy. The International Renewable Energy Agency, based in Abu Dhabi, reported that the levelised cost of electricity from utility-scale solar has dropped by 89 percent since 2010.

China serves as a primary driver of this growth through its large manufacturing base, which provides inexpensive panels to the global market. While political shifts in countries like the United States have seen some administrations withdraw support for renewables, solar installations continue to expand because the technology remains one of the cheapest new power sources available. Falling battery costs have also helped the industry by allowing operators to store midday sunshine for use during the evening.

Emerging markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are currently leading the transition. Yale Environment 360 reported that about 63 percent of these markets now receive a larger share of their power from solar than the United States does. Countries including Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Morocco, Kenya, and Namibia are among these leaders, while Pakistan currently leads the world in households adding rooftop panels and batteries.