You might be surprised, but the number #1 country using solar energy is not a desert nation, or even one with a lot of sunny days. It’s Germany.

The solar industry is driven by two forces: solar energy incentives and electricity prices. Without both, nothing is possible. But countries like Germany show how quickly you can grow an industry when the right incentives are put in place.

Here are the top 10  countries using solar energy:

  1. Germany – 9,785 MW
  2. Spain – 3,386 MW
  3. Japan – 2,633 MW
  4. United States – 1,650 MW
  5. Italy – 1,167 MW
  6. Czech Republic – 465 MW
  7. Belgium – 363 MW
  8. China – 305 MW
  9. France – 272 MW
  10. India – 120 MW

*Figures as of the end of 2009 via the European Photovoltaic Industry Association [PDF]

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