Solar photovoltaics: Overview
Cells that turn light straight into electricity
What this tile covers Cells that turn sunlight straight into electricity, from rooftops to utility farms. Share of use 1.3% share of world energy supply (2024)Share of world total energy supply captured or extracted by each method, 2024 (latest year where noted). Denominator is the Energy Institute Statistical Review 2025 total of 592.2 EJ (physical energy content method); electricity from wind, solar, hydro and geothermal is counted at output, nuclear at reactor heat. Heat and biomass flows outside EI's total are set against the same 592.2 EJ. Solar electricity 2,131 TWh minus an estimated 16 TWh from CSP = 7.61 EJ of 592.2 EJ (calculated). Source: Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 (74th edition), Energy Institute.
Key facts
| Output | Electricity |
Included from the reference tables
- Silicon, thin-film (CdTe, CIGS), perovskite and tandem cells
- Rooftop, utility, floating, agrivoltaic and building-integrated PV
- Concentrator PV
Linked to the material world
Si SiliconAg SilverpSi PolysiliconTe TelluriumIn IndiumGa GalliumAlso in Solar
CSP Concentrated solar powerSHC Solar heat collectorsPas Passive solar and natural coolingSF Solar fuels and photosynthesisExplore paths from here
More on this tile in the tabs above: efficiency, techniques, resources and labour, impact on the biosphere.