A new research claims that rooftop solar could reduce global temperatures by up to 0.13°C by 2050 if maximized
It can generate 19,500 TWh of clean electricity/year, covering 65% of global electricity needs
Its full utilization could almost replace fossil fuels with battery storage and load shifting
Rooftop solar systems can be the answer to the global threat of climate change, according to a new research that estimates these to substantially contribute to lowering global temperatures by 0.05°C to 0.13°C before 2050.
However, if its potential is not tapped under the study’s stated policies scenario (STEPS), the additional carbon emissions from the power grid from 2020 to 2050 could lead to an approximate increase of 0.13°C in global temperature.
Using geospatial data mining and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, the researchers believe rooftop solar carries a technical electricity generation potential of 19,500 TWh/year globally if every suitable roof is used for rooftop solar panels.
This capacity will be enough to cover 65% of the current global consumption and almost completely replace fossil-fuel based electricity, provided it is coupled with load shifting and battery-electric storage.
“Beyond carbon savings, reducing fossil fuel dependence also means cleaner air and better energy security. With so much untapped potential in solar it’s hard to see how governments can justify investing in nuclear, or as yet unproven carbon capture projects,” said University of Sussex Climate and Policy Researcher Prof. Felix Creutzig.
He pointed out that solar is now outcompeting nuclear power in cost, deployment speed and environmental risks. These should be reasons enough for governments to shift incentives towards rooftop solar PV instead of nuclear, including for the UK.
The highest potential to mitigate climate change for rooftop PV exists in East Asia, with the presence of high carbon intensity and large building stocks. Though North America and Europe offer a lower solar intensity, they have a high combined installation potential of over 4.3 TW or 25% of the global capacity based on their high building stock, according to the research.
The complete research titled Worldwide rooftop photovoltaic electricity generation may mitigate global warming, can be downloaded for free on the Nature Climate Change website.
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