SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION: SPECIfICS Of ITS TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE AND MODERN GEOGRAPHICAL TRENDS

Abstract

The study deals with the socio-economic geographical analysis of the solar energy production — one of the most rapidly developing industries of the world energy complex. The aim of the study is to identify and explain main features of the territorial structure of solar energy production and assess its role and place in the world. The paper also investigates the factors that affect the development of solar energy production itself as well as the deployment of individual solar panels or solar power stations. The study carried out is based on the review of datasets and official documents which enable to draw a conclusion that the result of an intensive development of solar energy production is its dynamic spatial expansion visible in the emergence of new poles of growth which largely changes the territorial structure of the industry, transforming it from a monocentric to polycentric.