New global solar capacity is expected to continue to grow this year as cost overheads came down to record levels in 2016.
Europe’s solar industry also forecast that power output could surpass 80gigawatts by the year end.
Solar panel modules have plunged in price over the last decade, more than 80% as capacity rises due to technological improvements/
A record 76.6 GW of new solar capacity was installed and connected to the grid last year, 50 percent up on 2015, solar power association SolarPower Europe said in a report.
James Watson, chief executive of SolarPower Europe, said growth would depend on emerging markets such as China.
He added: “There is a good chance that the market could even pass the 80 GW mark in 2017.”
China connected 34.5 GW of solar to the grid last year, representing nearly half of the world’s new capacity and 128% more than in 2015.
Although many experts say Chinese solar installations could slow this year, China has already commissioned 7.2 GW in the first quarter, slightly higher than what was installed in the first quarter of last year, the report said.
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