How many solar panels do we need to save the climate?
A zero-carbon-emissions energy system will rely mostly on low-cost solar electricity, experts say. About 100 giant solar panel factories must be built by 2025 for the world to defossilize its energy supply by 2035.
Who will make the solar panels that could save the climate? We know the world needs to defossilize its energy systems, says Christian Breyer, professor of solar economics at LUT University in Lappeenranta, Finland, whose research group models transition pathways to future zero-emissions energy systems. We need to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as quickly, safely and cost-effectively as possible, he tells DW. To do that, we need technologically feasible, cost-optimized transition pathways for every region of the world. Our calculations show how we can do that.