Solar energy is a renewable energy source that has grown in popularity in recent years because of emerging technologies and the increasing concern about greenhouse gas emissions and its effect on the environment.  The energy offered by the sun is harnessed through the use of photovoltaic devices, which transfers direct sunlight into electricity.  Many countries have began to take initiative through new and innovative solar projects to help wean the population from relying and fossil fuels as an energy resource.

Germany is currently the leading country in solar power today.  In 2014, more than half of Germany’s electricity demand was satisfied by solar energy, which was approximately 23.1 gigawatts of power.  What has helped German hit this milestone was the Renewable Energy Sources Act which was passed in 1991.  This act promotes long term investment in electrical generation through the use of renewable energy sources and was placed to lessen Germany’s impact on the environment, while make energy more affordable for citizens.  The biggest challenge in becoming the top solar energy producer was in the cost of implementing photovoltaic devices.  With the comfort of the solar energy market being backed by the government, utility companies and investors were more than willing to commit to long term investments in solar energy.  Strong support from the population and laws placed by the government has allowed the growth rate of solar energy in Germany to nearly triple in the last decade.  Other countries have began to follow Germany’s footsteps in investing in solar power.  Geological location can play an influencing role in which countries choose to invest in solar power.  The closer to the equator, the more hours of direct sunlight that country experienced in a given year.  One country that is taking advantage of it geographical location to help sustain growing energy needs is India.

India is a very suitable country for solar power considering the size of the subcontinent and the amount of sunlight the receive in a year.  Their government has recently decided to heavily invest in solar energy.   India’s plan to grow their solar energy industry by 250% would help address a lack of electricity to buildings and homes and would significantly shrink the country’s carbon footprint.  As a developing country with a large population, millions of individuals are left without access to electricity which can make simple day-to-day activities difficult once the sun goes down.  Power cuts and outages are common in India due to it’s current energy grid which isn’t the most efficient.  These frequent power cuts are not a positive influence on India’s rapidly growing economy.  India’s plan to invest more in solar energy would have a positive economic impact, considering it would drop the prices of electricity, and it would provide electricity to areas which lack it.  The United States also has plans for becoming more energy efficient through the use of renewable energy, especially solar energy.

The United States has been getting more involved with solar energy with the help of the  President’s Climate Action Plan.  Since 2009, the Department of Interior has approved more than 25 utility scale solar facilities.  During the president’s first term, he was able to double electrical generation from renewable resources and plans double it again by 2030.  With roughly $18 billion in new investments for solar technology, the US plans to increase solar energy by 30%.  Government supported programs have significantly helped cut costs of installing solar panels, but is set to expire at the end of next year.  These programs provided a 33% investment tax credit, but when this expires the cost burden will be entirely on developers and consumers until new programs are put in place.  Although renewable energy only accounts for about 8% of the energy sector, the US has made decent progress in investing in cleaner energy.