As an expert in the field of renewable energy, I have been closely monitoring the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Solar power has been at the forefront of this transition due to its vast potential and the continuous advancements in technology that make it more efficient and cost-effective.

Solar energy, harnessed through photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, is a renewable resource that converts sunlight directly into electricity. The adoption of solar power has been growing rapidly worldwide, driven by factors such as declining costs, government incentives, and increasing awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuels.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar power has been one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity in recent years. However, the exact percentage of the world's energy that comes from solar power can vary depending on the year and the source of the data. As of my last update, the global share of electricity generated from solar power was still relatively small but increasing. The reference provided indicates that in the United States, solar energy provides about five-tenths of 1 percent of the total energy consumed, which is a significant increase from the past but still a modest contribution to the overall energy mix.

The growth of solar power is not uniform across the globe. Some countries have made substantial progress in integrating solar energy into their grids. For example, countries like Germany, Spain, and Australia have a higher percentage of solar energy in their electricity mix compared to the global average. Additionally, the rapid deployment of solar power in emerging economies like China and India is significantly contributing to the global solar energy capacity.

It is important to note that the percentage of solar power in the total energy mix is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. The IEA and other organizations project that solar power, along with wind energy, will be the main drivers of growth in renewable energy capacity. The decrease in the cost of solar panels and the technological advancements in energy storage solutions are key factors that will facilitate this growth.

Furthermore, the intermittency of solar power, which is dependent on sunlight, is being addressed through various means such as energy storage, smart grids, and the integration of other renewable sources to ensure a stable and reliable supply of electricity.

In conclusion, while the current contribution of solar power to the world's total energy is relatively small, it is growing at an impressive pace. The future looks bright for solar energy as technological advancements and supportive policies continue to drive its integration into the global energy system.

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Today, solar energy provides five-tenths of 1 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States.[1] While the amount of utility-scale solar electricity capacity in the US has increased in recent years--rising from 334 megawatts in 1997 to 13,406 megawatts in 2015, it still only accounts for 0.6% of net utility- ...read more >>