In Short : In 2024, BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—produced 51% of the world’s solar power, according to Ember. India generated 133 TWh, ranking third globally after China and the U.S. This marks a major shift in clean energy leadership, with emerging economies playing a central role in driving global solar power growth and energy transition.
In Detail : In 2024, the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—accounted for 51% of global solar power generation, according to energy think tank Ember. This marks a significant milestone in the global energy transition, highlighting the increasing role of emerging economies in the renewable energy space.
India, the second-largest BRICS contributor after China, generated 133 terawatt-hours (TWh) of solar power during the year. This placed it third globally, behind only China and the United States in total solar generation. The achievement underscores India’s expanding solar capacity and its commitment to clean energy goals.
China remained the global leader in solar energy, producing more than half of the world’s total solar output. However, the collective contribution from the rest of the BRICS nations shows a growing regional shift in solar development, particularly in the Global South.
Ember’s report emphasizes that BRICS countries are now central to solar growth worldwide. Their rising solar output reflects a broader transformation, where developing nations are increasingly driving clean energy adoption, supported by falling technology costs and favorable policies.
India’s solar expansion is being driven by both utility-scale projects and decentralized rooftop systems. The country has ramped up its renewable targets under various government initiatives, aiming to reduce fossil fuel dependence and meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
With BRICS nations leading over half of global solar generation, the report suggests a rebalancing of clean energy leadership. It also points to opportunities for collaboration among these countries to scale innovation, investment, and policy coordination in the renewable energy sector.
