Five Nations Back Plan to Double Global Rooftop Solar by 2030
Australia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, and Vanuatu have endorsed a new plan to double the number of homes with rooftop solar panels worldwide by 2030.
The initiative, launched at the COP31 climate talks in Antalya, Turkey, aims to increase the global count from 150 million today to at least 300 million homes.
The declaration, a voluntary and non-binding agreement, is a topic at the U.N. climate summit, which is co-hosted by Turkey and Australia. It reflects a focus on expanding electricity access and shifting away from fossil fuels.
Solar as a Tool for Energy Affordability
“This is the future of affordable energy,” said Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council.
The announcement comes as families worldwide face rising energy costs. Dunlop framed the initiative in the context of the cost of living.
Limited Impact Without Actionable Policies
While the pledge has garnered support from five nations and lawmakers from 21 others, including the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, national policies must follow.
“We now need to see national policies and frameworks in place.”
Contrasting Nations: Turkey and Australia
The plan puts a spotlight on the energy mix of both host nations. Turkey generates nearly 23% of its electricity from solar and wind but relies heavily on coal, which accounted for 33% of its electricity last year, according to Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
Nikit Abhyankar with the India Energy and Climate Center at the University of California, Berkeley, warned that “energy storage deployment must catch up with the speed of renewables deployment,” or “it creates massive operational challenges for the grid, resulting in significant curtailment,” referring to the practice of limiting electricity output because the grid cannot handle it.
Rooftop Solar’s Global Surge
In response, Indonesia has pledged to install 100 gigawatts of solar power by 2029.
Barriers to Implementation Remain
“This is an opportunity that we should not waste,” she said. “This is the biggest wave of interest in rooftop solar that we have seen so far.”
Australian Homes Use Rooftop Solar and Batteries
One in three Australian homes has rooftop solar, and more than 700,000 homes have batteries to store excess energy.
What Is the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration?
- What is the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration?
- It is a voluntary and non-binding declaration that aims to double the number of homes with rooftop solar panels from about 150 million today to at least 300 million by 2030.
- Which countries have endorsed the declaration?
- Australia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, and Vanuatu have endorsed the rooftop solar declaration, along with lawmakers from 21 other countries including the United Kingdom, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
- Why is rooftop solar considered important for climate goals?
- It aligns with efforts where U.N. climate talks focus on expanding access to electricity and transitioning away from fossil fuels, while addressing the energy cost of living crisis.
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