A science journalist creates a chart comparing renewable energy adoption: solar capacity grew from 120 GW in 2020 to 288 GW in 2024. What is the average annual growth rate, compounded annually?

["Title: Solar Capacity Surge: A Science Journalist Reveals How Renewable Growth Accelerated from 120 GW to 288 GW (2020–2024)", "Meta Description: A detailed chart shows solar power capacity surged 140% from 120 GW in 2020 to 288 GW in 2024—what’s the average annual growth rate? Discover the compounded annual growth rate behind renewable energy’s rapid rise.", "---", "Unlocking the Power of Solar: How Solar Capacity Surged 140% from 2020 to 2024", "In just four years, solar energy capacity has transformed from a growing niche into a global powerhouse. According to recent data, solar power capacity expanded from 120 gigawatts (GW) in 2020 to 288 GW in 2024—a staggering growth of 140 percentage points and a prime example of renewable energy’s accelerating momentum.", "But how fast is this growth happening compounded annually? Understanding the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is essential to grasping the true pace of solar adoption.", "### What Is Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)?", "The CAGR measures how an investment or capacity grows year-over-year at a consistent rate, accounting for compounding—meaning growth builds on prior growth. This metric reveals the smooth, sustained progress behind headline numbers.", "### Calculating Solar’s CAGR from 2020 to 2024", "Using the formula:\n[\n\ ext{CAGR} = \left( \frac{\ ext{Ending Value}}{\ ext{Beginning Value}} \right)^{\frac{1}{n}} - 1\n]\nWhere:\n- Ending Value = 288 GW (2024)\n- Beginning Value = 120 GW (2020)\n- Number of years (n) = 2024 – 2020 = 4", "Plugging in the numbers:\n[\n\ ext{CAGR} = \left( \frac{288}{120} \right)^{\frac{1}{4}} - 1 = (2.4)^{0.25} - 1\n]", "Evaluating (2.4^{0.25}) (approximately the fourth root of 2.4):\n[\n2.4^{0.25} \approx 1.245\n]\nSo:\n[\n\ ext{CAGR} \approx 1.245 - 1 = 0.245 \quad \ ext{or} \quad 24.5%\n]", "### Conclusion", "Solar capacity grew at a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 24.5% per year from 120 GW in 2020 to 288 GW in 2024. This astounding pace underscores solar energy’s role as a leading driver of the global renewable transition—and signals that scientific innovation and policy support are delivering measurable, exponential change.", "Stay tuned as solar continues to climb—what will the next leap in capacity look like?", "---", "Keywords for SEO: solar energy growth 2020 2024, renewable energy CAGR, solar capacity chart 2020 2024, compound annual growth rate solar, solar adoption statistics, clean energy expansion, annual growth rate solar 2020–2024", "Related Reading:\n- How Solar Power Efficiency Improves Yearly\n- Behind the Charts: Solar’s Explosive Growth in 2020–2024\n- Renewable Energy Forecasts: What the CAGR Tells Us", "---", "Data source illustrating solar capacity growth from 120 GW (2020) to 288 GW (2024), showing a robust 140% surge enabled by a compound annual growth rate of around 24.5%—a clear marker of renewable energy’s accelerating future."]