Solar power’s share of global energy generation soared by 24% last year as the world approached a “turning point” in using more renewables and fewer fossil fuels.
The latest annual study on energy published by climate think tank Embers found wind and solar accounted for 12% of all the electricity produced worldwide in 2022.
That is up from 10% in 2021 and a new record.
Installing the best pv solar panels and embracing other clean energy solutions is vital in the battle to reduce carbon emissions and wean the world’s largest economies off coal, oil and gas.
“We know that wind and solar are the answer and we’ve just got to get on with a roadmap for building them as quickly as possible,” report author, Dave Jones said.
2023 is set to be a watershed moment for energy production as the first-ever drop in the use of fossil fuels is expected.
Ember has forecast a 0.3% contraction this year.
That’s because renewable alternatives such as solar will now be able to meet the rise in demand for energy.
A decline in the usage of coal, oil and glass will also help to cut the amount of harmful gases released into the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
In total, clean energy sources and nuclear power accounted for around 40% of all the electricity produced globally last year.
China has driven the recent green energy boom but other countries are catching up.
While the surge in renewables and decrease in fossil fuels is notable, more still needs to be done.
The International Energy Agency says solar and wind usage will have to jump to 41% for the sector to hit net zero emissions by 2040.
