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Researchers at the University of Sussex in Britain have discovered that widespread deployment of rooftop solar power could cover the vast majority of global electricity consumption, while reducing global temperatures by up to 0.13°C. Covering the worlds rooftops with solar panels could provide 65% of the worlds electricity, according to new research from the University of Sussex (UK). The research paper “ Worldwide rooftop photovoltaic electricity generation may mitigate global warming,” published in the journal Nature Climate Change , uses geospatial data mining models and artificial intelligence to show that rooftops cover approximately 286,000 km2 of the planet, an area similar to that of Italy. It is then estimated that if all suitable rooftops were used, rooftop solar could generate 19,500 TWh of electricity per year, almost completely replacing fossil-fuel-generated electricity, when combined with load shifting and battery storage. The researchers then used advanced climate models to estimate the impact of widespread solar energy deployment, concluding that solar rooftops could contribute to a global temperature reduction of 0.05 to 0.13 degrees by 2050. Beyond carbon savings, reducing dependence on fossil fuels also means cleaner air and greater energy security, said Professor Felix Creutzig, a climate and policy researcher at the University of Sussex, adding that solar power currently outperforms nuclear power in terms of cost, speed of deployment, and environmental risks. With so much untapped solar potential, its difficult for governments to justify investing in nuclear power or unproven carbon capture projects. The research paper includes region-specific analyses to highlight the need for tailored approaches to rooftop solar deployment, focusing on areas with high solar radiation or rapid urbanization. The document identifies East Asia as the region with the greatest potential for rooftop photovoltaic systems as a climate change mitigation tool, due to its high carbon intensity and large number of buildings. North America and Europe are estimated to have a combined installation potential of more than 4,300 GW—approximately a quarter of the global construction capacity—due to their extensive building stock. The authors advocate for global collaboration to expand rooftop solar where it can have the greatest impact, including Africa, which accounts for only 1% of current rooftop solar installations. |
