Now, a new report from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) suggests they poised to take over leadership when it comes to installed solar energy capacity.
"Europe has dominated the global PV (photovoltaic) market for years but the rest of the world clearly has the biggest potential for growth," the EPIA said in market outlook released Monday.
The report says installed solar capacity will grow by between 200 and 400 percent over the next five years, with the fastest growth expected in China and India.
Other regions leading the solar pack include Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and Southeast Asia, the report says.
The fastest PV capacity growth is expected in China and India, followed by the southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa in the next five years, said the report distributed at a PV conference in northern Italy.
EPIA expects the world's total installed photovoltaic capacity to rise between 207.9 GW and 342.8 GW in 2016.
The trade organization said how quickly the sector expands will be dependent on government support and reduction in the red tape that has historically slowed some projects.
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