A solar revolution is underway and experts predict that by 2030, solar power could be available virtually free during daylight hours in many regions.
David Wallace-Wells writes for The New York Times.
In summary:
- By 2023, solar energy capacity will increase by 80%. Solar energy now meets almost 6% of global electricity demand and is expected to be the dominant energy source until the 2030s.
- The cost of solar panels has dropped dramatically, making solar energy the cheapest new source of electricity for 95% of the world.
- In the future, industries may develop that adapt their operations to the availability of solar energy, with an increasing emphasis on energy storage and transmission.
Key quote:
“The next tenfold increase would correspond to an eightfold increase in the world’s nuclear reactor stock, in less time than it normally takes to build a single one.”
— The Economist
Why this is important:
If fewer fossil fuels were burned, we could see a dramatic decline in pollution-related diseases, cleaner air and a significant reduction in carbon emissions. The challenge now is to figure out how to harness this potential. Read more: Solving the climate crisis will take more than switching to renewable energy – everyone needs equal access.
