Solar Energy’s Rapid Growth to Save the Oceans

Posted by Race for Water Foundation in Ocean Views on June 22, 2017

Ocean warming and acidification have devastating effects on our oceans: coral bleaching, species migration, mollusks’ and planktons’ stunted growth are only some of the impacts our fossil fuel economy is having on the planet’s most precious ecosystem. Solar power is currently the most promising energy source to replace fossil fuels and enable a clean energy economy.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) deployment has seen a rapid rise, however its contribution to global electricity generation was still only around 1.2% in 2015 (International Energy Agency). But here is the exciting news: the Renewables 2017 Global Status Report (released on 7 June) detailed that increase in installed renewable power capacity set new records in 2016, rising by almost 9 per cent over 2015, to nearly 2,017 GW. According to the report, solar PV accounted for around 47 per cent of the capacity added. China in fact doubled its solar production in one year. Why such growth?

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