Renewable Energy Capacity
Installed power generation capacity from renewable sources (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, tidal), measured in gigawatts.
Formula
Installed Capacity (GW) × Capacity Factor = Annual Energy Output (GWh)
Real World
China installed more solar PV capacity in 2023 alone (217 GW) than the entire United States has ever installed cumulatively, reflecting how rapidly renewable capacity is expanding in emerging economies with strong government policy support.
Exam Focus
Distinguish clearly between installed capacity (GW) and actual energy generated (GWh/TWh) — confusing these two metrics is a common and costly exam error.
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