International Energy Agency (IEA) data indicates that global solar PV capacity surged by approximately 87% to reach 447GW in 2023 — the most rapid expansion in the past two decades.
To achieve this milestone, China installed more solar PV capacity than the entire world combined in the previous year.
But how is solar being used?
Beyond conventional applications such as electricity generation and water heating, this renewable energy source is being employed in exciting ways globally by some of the world's largest corporations — pioneers in their respective industries.
We have ranked 10 of the top solar energy projects.
10. Solar-powered manufacturing
Used by: Tesla
CEO: Elon Musk
Revenue: US$96.8bn (2023)
Electric vehicle pioneer Tesla continuously innovates to ensure its products utilize the cleanest energy sources available.
The company's Gigafactory Nevada is a lithium-ion battery and EV component facility that produces battery packs and drivetrain components — including motors — for Tesla's vehicles, while also manufacturing the Tesla Powerwall home energy storage device and assembling the Tesla Semi battery electric semi-trailer truck.
In terms of land area, it stands as the largest Tesla Gigafactory globally and was the first such facility constructed by Tesla.
Additionally, it features one of the largest rooftop solar arrays — generating 24MW of power for its production lines.
The company states: "Tesla operates the most advanced factories ever built as the world's leading battery and electric vehicle manufacturer and all our products are designed to integrate seamlessly.
"As a manufacturer, installer and service provider, we have developed unique expertise in delivering energy products with the best value to our customers.”
9. Solar-integrated data centres
Used by: Google
CEO: Sundar Pichai
Revenue: US$305.6bn (2023)
Google's data centres are increasingly powered by solar energy as part of the company's commitment to carbon neutrality.
The tech giant is currently working towards powering all of its data centres with carbon-free energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by 2030.
For example, in Denmark, the Rødby Fjord solar project adds carbon-free energy to the grid that powers Google Fredericia data centre — contributing 54.5MW to the more than 100MW of operational solar resources powering Google's Danish operations.
Google's VP Engineering Ben Sloss says: "Google expects to spend US$16bn through 2040 globally to purchase clean energy."
In 2023, Google's total data centre electricity consumption grew by 17% despite maintaining a 100% global renewable energy match.
In Arizona, USA, Google has partnered with Salt River Project (SRP) to support more than 430MW of new carbon-free energy capacity statewide following the launch of its Mesa data centre.
"With this new agreement we are not just offsetting our energy use but also actively working to add carbon-free energy capacity directly to Arizona's grid when and where it's needed," says Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy at Google.
"The collaboration with SRP and NextEra Energy Resources is accelerating decarbonisation in Arizona and our own carbon-free journey in the region."
8. Solar-powered water desalination
Used by: ACWA
CEO: Paddy Padmanathan
Revenue: US$1.2bn (2023)
Water desalination is a process that removes salt and minerals from water to produce fresh water suitable for human consumption or agricultural use.
Saudi Arabian power company ACWA develops, invests in and operates power generation and desalinated water production plants across 13 countries in the Middle East.
In 2023, ACWA, in collaboration with Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and AlBawani Water & Power (AWP), inaugurated Saudi Arabia's first solar-powered desalination plant.
The Jubail 3A independent water desalination plant (IWP) is located in Saudi Arabia.
The facility includes a 45.5MW solar PV power generation system that provides 20% of the plant's energy needs and produces clean water using reverse osmosis technology.
Mohammad Abunayyan, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ACWA Power, says: “This is the latest world-class project that demonstrates our global leadership in water desalination and our enduring commitment to cost leadership, social prosperity and national development.”
7. Retail solar panels
Used by: Walmart
CEO: Doug McMillon
Revenue: US$648bn (2023)
Retail giant Walmart has deployed solar panels on the rooftops of more than 360 of its stores across the United States.
In 2019, it led all companies nationwide in solar additions, expanding its solar capacity by more than 35%.
Subsequently, in 2021, Walmart incorporated 6.5MW of solar power at seven of its California stores, featuring a combination of rooftop and parking lot carport solar energy systems.
The company has pledged to integrate 1GW of on-site clean energy — encompassing solar and energy storage — into its portfolio by 2030.
Walmart powers approximately 46% of its operations with renewable energy, with the company stating: "The role we play in our communities provides us with a tremendous opportunity to help people transition to clean energy in a way that also helps them save money and live better."
6. Solar-powered smart homes
Used by: IKEA
CEO: Jesper Brodin
Revenue: US$51.4bn (2023)
SOLSTRÅLE — IKEA's home solar offering — is planned to be available in 30 IKEA markets in 2025, contributing to its efforts in making clean energy more accessible.
Asserting that "a good life at home starts on the roof", IKEA says: "We want to make clean energy available to many people. To have a real impact we know we need to make our offer affordable and combine it with an attractive financial offer."
Its home solar solution is designed to achieve this goal. Comprising solar panels for roof installation, the program provides IKEA customers with a control system to monitor energy production.
"It's a cost-efficient solution that allows as many people as possible to generate their own power, reduce carbon emissions — and save money at the same time," IKEA adds.
"We will take an extended responsibility for the climate footprint of our customers, suppliers and sourcing and contribute with additional reductions in society.
"We will achieve this by enabling customers to generate renewable energy at home, as well as by transforming our suppliers' entire factories or operations to renewable energy – not just the part used for IKEA production."
5. Solar for EV charging
Used by: Shell
CEO: Wael Sawan
Revenue: US$316.6bn (2023)
Shell operates approximately 54,000 public EV charging points globally, situated across forecourts, retail locations and various destinations.
The British energy conglomerate plans to deploy 70,000 public EV charge points worldwide in 2025, aligning with its renewable energy strategy.
"Solar power can significantly reduce the cost of charging your EV and make your energy use even more sustainable," Shell states.
While Shell Recharge points are not currently powered exclusively by renewable energy, the company is actively investigating ways to make this a reality in the near future.
Shell aims to expand its global network to 200,000 public EV charge points by 2030.
4. Solar agriculture
Used by: TotalEnergies
CEO: Patrick Pouyanné
Revenue: US$237.1bn (2023)
TotalEnergies' portfolio includes several solar agriculture projects.
For the Camelicious solar project, TotalEnergies installed a solar power plant at a camel farm in the United Arab Emirates, supplying 80% of the farm's energy needs — making it the world's first solar-powered dairy farm.
TotalEnergies' acquisition of French agrivoltaics pioneer Ombrea bolstered its sustainability credentials by incorporating Ombrea's expertise into its renewable activities.
This move has accelerated TotalEnergies' agrivoltaics development in France and internationally.
Agrivoltaics technology integrates solar energy with agriculture by installing solar panels on agricultural facilities or cropland.
Yvannah Evrard, Deputy Manager Development Agency at TotalEnergies, says: "The advantage of solar gardens for TotalEnergies is getting access to land, which is growing scarce and the farmers strengthen their business model for the coming years."
Additionally, TotalEnergies entered a long-term agreement with Hiep Phat, a Vietnamese starch manufacturer, to provide a 2.1MWp PV system for their plant and office — TotalEnergies' first agri-PV project in Asia Pacific
3. Solar aviation
Used by: Airbus
CEO: Guillaume Faury
Revenue: US$70.2bn (2023)
Airbus is taking unmanned aerial vehicles into the stratosphere in the form of solar cell aircraft.
These airborne vehicles are able to stay aloft for extended periods, using only sunlight as energy.
The company’s flagship programme, Zephyr, is a high-altitude pseudo-satellite that is powered exclusively by solar power and is a world record-breaking innovation.
It is able to fly above 60,000ft, operating in the stratosphere — above weather and conventional air traffic.
Airbus says: “Zephyr can provide high-quality imagery and live video with Airbus' Strat-Observer service, or serve as a tower in the sky to deliver direct-to-device connectivity with a reach of up to 250 terrestrial towers in difficult mountainous terrain.”
Samer Halawi, CEO of the Airbus subsidiary responsible for Zephyr, AALTO, adds: “This is a technological masterpiece. The idea is old, but the technology capabilities have evolved such that this idea now is doable.”
2. Solar for microgrids
Used by: Schneider Electric
CEO: Peter Herweck
Revenue: US$38.8bn (2023)
Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Microgrid Flex system combines solar panels with other distributed energy resources — such as battery storage and traditional generators — to create what it describes as a "configured-to-order solution that reduces project time, designed to meet resilience, energy cost optimisation and sustainability needs".
Schneider's ex-CEO Peter Herweck said: "Addressing climate change requires a fundamental transition and a much wider change in thinking.
"Such a change in approach requires doing something that has never been done before —innovations for impact — enabled by digitisation and electrification."
Schneider Electric's microgrid control systems, including EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor and EcoStruxure Microgrid Operation, maximise the utilisation of solar energy within the microgrid.
These systems regulate the power flow from solar arrays, harmonising it with other energy sources and storage to efficiently meet demand.
By integrating solar with advanced control systems and energy storage, Schneider Electric's microgrids provide a versatile and eco-friendly approach to power management.
1. Solar space exploration
Used by: NASA
CEO: Bill Nelson
Budget: US$25.4bn (2024)
NASA has been pioneering the use of solar power for space exploration, with numerous missions and projects harnessing this technology.
The agency's utilisation of solar power in space began in the 1950s and continues to advance with state-of-the-art applications.
The International Space Station (ISS) depends on solar arrays for electricity generation.
Its eight solar array wings can produce approximately 215kW of power in direct sunlight, or about 120kW when alternating between sunlight and shade.
These arrays not only energise the station's systems but also support vital scientific experiments conducted in orbit.
NASA deployed the first solar-powered satellite, Vanguard 1, in 1958. Its solar technology has greatly progressed since then, with NASA's Juno spacecraft becoming the first solar-powered craft to operate at Jupiter and to function so far from the sun.
Orbiting Jupiter to investigate the planet's origin and evolution, as well as our broader solar system, Juno features three 30-foot long solar panels that supply sufficient power for the spacecraft's instruments.
The panels are compressed for launch, but unfold to create a span exceeding 66 feet.
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