Photovoltaics and jobs: The solar PV sector is the largest employer in the renewable energy industry
The twelfth edition of the International Renewable Energy Agency’s Renewable Energy and Jobs report, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), provides the latest data and estimates of renewable energy employment globally. It finds global renewable energy jobs reached 16.6 million in 2024, but growth slowed. The solar photovoltaic sector is by far the largest employer in the renewable energy industry, accounting for over 7.2 million jobs worldwide. The report calls for stronger public action to build domestic supply chains and ensure a more inclusive workforce.
Spanish electricity grid reaches 85.7% saturation after 2.8 GW loss
Spain’s electricity grid has lost nearly 2.8 GW of available capacity in two months, lifting substation saturation to 85.7% and leaving more than 5,200 facilities without spare capacity, according to new analysis.
Grenada seeks installers for Solar for All program
The government of Grenada is looking for firms to supply and install solar systems for residential and agro-processing customers under its flagship Solar for All program. The deadline for expressions of interest is January 30.
Africa’s installed PV capacity estimated above 63 GW
The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) has now identified 23.4 GW of operational solar projects across the continent but when taking into account Chinese PV export data, estimates total installed capacity in Africa could reach over 63 GW. The trade body also revealed that the continent installed only 2.4 GW of grid-connected solar last year.
IEA PVPS invites modelers to join first coloured BIPV intercomparison
IEA-PVPS Task 15 has launched its first modeling intercomparison exercise on coloured building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and is inviting PV modelers and researchers to evaluate their methods using real-world performance data.
Italy installs 6.4 GW of PV in 2025
The country reached a cumulative installed PV capacity of 43.5 GW at the end of December, according to new figures released by Italian grid operator Terna.
Hungary adds 1.1 GW of solar in 2025
Hungary deployed over 1 GW of solar for the third consecutive year in 2025, driven largely by grid-scale solar additions. There are concerns momentum could slow in the coming years due to no new connection permits for large-scale projects authorized over the last three years.
Japan’s solar industry targets vertical bifacial PV with new guide
The Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) has released a voluntary reference guide to support adoption of vertical bifacial PV in Japan, outlining design, performance, and compliance considerations for projects in snow-prone, high-latitude, and space-constrained conditions.
Key takeaways from Abu Dhabi’s World Future Energy Summit
WFES 2026 in Abu Dhabi underscored growing momentum for solar, storage, and C&I renewables across MENA, with batteries emerging as a key enabler for grid stability, agriculture, and data centers. Industry leaders pointed to Iraq, Libya, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia as key growth markets, highlighting rising interest in AI-driven data centers, solar-plus-storage solutions, and a broadening regional supply chain.
Pakistan’s installed PV capacity estimated above 27 GW
Pakistan has imported over 50 GW of solar modules from China, including 18 GW during the country’s last fiscal year. In the absence of official installation figures, Islamabad-based thinktank Renewables First says up to 33 GW of solar capacity could have been deployed in Pakistan to date.
