South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Solar energy generation vs. capacity
Solar energy generation vs. capacity over time
- South Africa
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
How they compare
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland currently reports 19,996 terawatt-hours against 18,560 terawatt-hours in South Africa, a difference of 1,436 terawatt-hours.
That makes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's figure about 1.1 times South Africa's.
The two have swapped places 4 times across 55 shared years of data; in 1971 it was United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
South Africa ranks 20th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 19th of 79 countries.
Across the 6 decades both report, South Africa averaged higher in 1 and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 4.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | — |
| 1980s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0.404 terawatt-hours | 0.404 terawatt-hours | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 1990s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0.1 terawatt-hours | 0.1 terawatt-hours | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 2000s | 16.26 terawatt-hours | 8.3 terawatt-hours | 7.96 terawatt-hours | South Africa |
| 2010s | 2,097 terawatt-hours | 6,219 terawatt-hours | 4,122 terawatt-hours | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 2020s | 11,977 terawatt-hours | 14,655 terawatt-hours | 2,678 terawatt-hours | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher solar energy generation vs. capacity, South Africa or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at 19,996 terawatt-hours against 18,560 terawatt-hours in South Africa as of 2025.
- What is the difference in solar energy generation vs. capacity between South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 1,436 terawatt-hours, with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 55 years are reported by both, from 1971 to 2025.
- How do South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for solar energy generation vs. capacity?
- South Africa ranks 20th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 19th of 79 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as Solar energy generation vs. capacity. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Figures are based on gross generation and do not account for cross-border electricity supply.