Overview of the main solar energy projects around the world

Here's a look at other major solar projects announced, under construction or already operational around the world.

Midong Solar Project, China

Most of the largest solar farms already in operation are in China, which is increasing its renewable energy capacity at a rate much faster than the rest of the world.

In June, the Midong solar power project in the Xinjiang region was put into operation, with an operational capacity of 3,5 GW.

The project is billed as the largest project ever in China, taking the top spot from two other giant projects in the Ningxia and Qinghai regions.

But it too is likely to be exceeded soon, with other megaprojects already in the pipeline, including the Tengger solar park in Inner Mongolia which is expected to have a capacity of 8 GW, according to data from Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

China is building almost twice as much wind and solar capacity as all other countries combined. It has 339 GW under construction, including 180 GW of solar power, according to GEM.

Khavda Solar Park, India

The Khavda Solar Park is a large renewable energy project under construction in Gujarat, India, near the border with Pakistan. A solar-wind hybrid project, it is expected to have a huge capacity of 30 GW when fully operational, around 2027.

The site has already started generating electricity, however, with 551 megawatts of solar capacity coming online earlier this year, according to Adnani Green Energy, one of the companies developing the massive site.

Once completed, the park will be the largest renewable energy installation in the world and will be capable of powering 16,1 million homes per year.

India, which currently relies heavily on coal, wants to install 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.

Al Dhafra, United Arab Emirates

The UAE inaugurated the 2GW Al Dhafra solar power plant last year, weeks before hosting UN climate talks.

Located south of the capital Abu Dhabi, it extends over 21 square kilometers of desert, or around a fifth of the surface area of ​​Paris.

The project has more than 4.000 photovoltaic modules and can produce enough electricity to power 160.000 homes in the oil-rich Gulf state.

The UAE aims to triple its renewable energy consumption over the next seven years to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Benban Solar Park, Egypt

Egypt's Benban solar park, built around 40 kilometers from the city of Aswan, was connected to the national grid in 2019.

It is often described as the largest solar project in Africa and one of the largest in the world, with a capacity of around 1,5 GW, a capacity which could be increased if planned expansions continue.

Visible from space, the World Bank-funded project, worth $4 billion, covers 37 square kilometers and supplies 420.000 homes, according to the UN.

Chill Sun Project, United States

Among the largest solar farms planned in the United States is the Chill Sun solar project. The planned 2,25 GW facility is expected to be built in the sunny state of Nevada, which is already home to dozens of small solar plants.

The United States is rapidly increasing its renewable energy capacity although the pace is much slower than in China.

They have 40 GW of wind and solar power under construction and generate 16% of their electricity from wind and solar power, according to Ember, a think tank.