Solar power continues to reshape energy production not only in the United States, but across the world. Third world countries and their governments are looking into solar solutions for both homes and communities. In Jordan a 160-megawatt solar park is scheduled to open sometime this summer.  With about 330 sunny days a year and altitude and terrain high enough so that heat and dust do not lower the efficiency of the PV panels, Jordan has all the geographical features perfect for mass solar production. The effort to achieve more solar power comes with the goal the country becoming more self reliant and reducing fossil-fuel imports which generated about 96% of its energy last year and cost 10% of the GDP.

Solar power is hitting stride in replacing fossil fuel emissions. Solar in India is expected to be cheaper than coal by 2020 and officials in Punjab are urging farmers to lease their land to solar developers rather than til it. Auctions of long-term contracts to purchase solar power in developing countries such as South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Peru, and Mexico provide evidence that the value and cost of solar solutions are growing and replacing gas and coal as a cheap source of power (The Economist).

With an 80% drop in cost of solar panels since 2010 and the desperate need to switch from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, solar power has been taking the world by storm. It is wonderful to see bigger countries and organizations making an effort to get solar solutions installed with countries less fortunate. This will provide energy to cities and households who desperately need a source of power and will also mitigate the damages done by fossil fuels.  It will be exciting to see where the world continues to take solar panel and the bright future it provides.