Sustainable Energy Generation through Photovoltaic Systems: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

Solar photovoltaic (PV) power has emerged as the fastest-growing renewable technology, with global installed capacity following a Moore's Law-like trajectory—doubling roughly every two years. From 2000 to 2020, PV installations expanded at a compound annual rate of 33%, driven by declining costs (a 90% decline since 2010) and policy. This article explores the economic and technological drivers behind this expansion, including the growth in bifacial and floating PV systems that address land scarcity and boost energy output. It considers integrating PV into smart cities through IoT-based monitoring and AI-driven predictive maintenance, along with regional take-up strategies aligned with geographic and socio-economic realities. However, intermittency, grid instability, and recycling of end-of-life panels remain principal challenges. Integrating global installation trends, cost trajectories, and emerging applications, this research underscores PV technology's disruptive potential in creating a sustainable energy future, while calling for comprehensive solutions to its constraints.