4.6 Billion Years On, the Sun Is Having a Moment – The New Yorker

 

Report on the Global Acceleration of Renewable Energy and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

I. Advancing SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

A. Unprecedented Growth in Solar and Renewable Energy Capacity

A significant and rapid transformation of the global energy system is underway, driven by the accelerated adoption of renewable energy, particularly solar power. This progress is central to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

• The world’s installed solar capacity reached its first terawatt in 2022; the second was added within two years, and the third is imminent. This exponential growth signifies a major shift in global energy infrastructure.
• A gigawatt of solar power, equivalent to a coal-fired plant, is now being installed approximately every fifteen hours, making solar the fastest-growing power source in history.
• In the past year, renewables met 96% of the new global electricity demand. In the United States, 93% of new generating capacity came from solar, wind, and battery storage.

B. Economic Viability and Cost Reduction

The economic case for renewables is now firmly established, making clean energy the most cost-efficient choice in most parts of the world. This affordability is crucial for ensuring equitable access under SDG 7.

• The cost of energy storage has fallen by 95% over the past fifteen years, primarily due to Chinese innovation in battery manufacturing for consumer electronics, vehicles, and grid-scale systems.
• The price for grid-scale battery storage continues to decline, with recent bids in China showing a further 30% drop, making clean energy more reliable and accessible around the clock.

II. Contribution to SDG 13: Climate Action

A. Displacement of Fossil Fuels and Emission Reductions

The surge in renewable energy is a primary driver of global efforts to combat climate change, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action). Data from leading economies demonstrates a tangible reduction in reliance on fossil fuels.

1. United States: In March, for the first time, fossil fuels generated less than half of the nation’s electricity. In California, a 40% reduction in natural gas for electricity generation was recorded compared to 2023, driven by a massive increase in solar and battery capacity.
2. China: The rapid expansion of solar and wind power contributed to a nearly 6% decrease in carbon emissions from electricity production in the first quarter of the year.
3. India: A surge in solar production from January to April kept the country’s coal consumption flat and reduced natural gas use by a quarter, a significant achievement for the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
4. Europe: Poland, a historically coal-dependent nation, saw renewable power generation exceed that of coal in May. The United Kingdom’s carbon emissions have fallen to levels not seen since 1879, culminating in the closure of its last coal-fired power plant.

III. Fostering Sustainable Economic Growth and Innovation (SDG 8 & SDG 9)

A. Regional Economic and Industrial Transformation

The renewable energy revolution is creating new economic opportunities and fostering industrial innovation, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• United States: States like Texas and California are leading in the installation of renewable energy and batteries, which enhances grid reliability and supports robust economic activity. California’s economy, now the world’s fourth-largest, produced 82% of its power from renewables on a day in May.
• China: China has become a global hub for renewable technology, installing over half the world’s new capacity and exporting the majority of solar panels and batteries. This has also driven a domestic transition, with nearly half of all vehicles sold in its market now being electric or hybrid.
• Developing Nations: In a trend that supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), countries across Asia, Africa, and South America are leveraging affordable Chinese technology to build out their renewable capacity, in some cases leapfrogging fossil fuel infrastructure entirely.

B. Technological Innovation and Efficiency

The transition is underpinned by innovations that promote resource efficiency and create new sectors of employment.

• Energy Efficiency: Electricity from renewables (“work energy”) is fundamentally more efficient than combustion (“heat energy”). An electric vehicle is two to three times more efficient than an internal-combustion engine vehicle.
• Job Creation: The global shift is creating new forms of decent work. Examples include widespread training programs for solar installers in Pakistan and job retraining for former coal plant workers in the UK.

IV. Enhancing Sustainability in Communities and Production (SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 2)

A. Responsible Resource Management and Circular Economies (SDG 12)

The material lifecycle of renewable technologies is a key component of their sustainability, aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Material Requirements: The total volume of minerals required to achieve a global net-zero energy system by 2050 is less than the volume of coal consumed in a single year.
• Circular Economy: Unlike fossil fuels, which are consumed, minerals in batteries and solar panels can be recycled. Projections indicate that by 2050, recycling can create a closed-loop supply chain for most battery minerals.
• Production Efficiency: The amount of raw materials like silicon and silver needed for solar panels has decreased dramatically. The silver used in one panel from 2010 is now sufficient for approximately five panels.

B. Land Use and Agricultural Synergy (SDG 2)

Strategic deployment of solar energy can coexist with and even support agricultural goals, contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

• A study found that converting just 46% of the U.S. land currently used for corn ethanol to solar farms would generate enough electricity to decarbonize the nation’s power system.
• In Pakistan, farmers are rapidly adopting solar-powered water pumps, which eliminates recurring fuel costs, enhances food security, and promotes sustainable agriculture.

C. Decentralized Energy for Resilient Communities (SDG 11)

The growth of distributed generation, particularly rooftop solar, is making communities more resilient and energy-independent, a key target of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• In nations with unreliable grids, such as Pakistan and Nigeria, businesses and households are installing rooftop solar to ensure a stable power supply.
• In African nations like Namibia and Eswatini, unreported small-scale solar constitutes over 10% of the country’s peak electricity demand, demonstrating a grassroots movement toward energy self-sufficiency.

V. Geopolitical Implications and Future Outlook (SDG 16)

A. Reordering Global Power Dynamics

The transition toward diffuse and universally available energy sources like sun and wind supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by potentially reducing global conflicts over concentrated fossil fuel resources.

• Unlike oil and gas, solar and wind energy are difficult to hoard or use as geopolitical levers, fostering a more stable and equitable international order.
• Nations are increasingly adopting renewables to achieve energy independence and insulate themselves from geopolitical and financial risks associated with the fossil fuel trade.

B. Overcoming Barriers and Accelerating the Transition

While the technological and economic drivers are strong, policy and infrastructure remain key variables in the pace of the transition.

1. Barriers: The primary obstacles are no longer cost or technology but policy and administrative hurdles, such as grid interconnection queues and political opposition aimed at protecting incumbent industries.
2. Public Support: Global surveys show overwhelming public support for solar energy across all demographics and political affiliations, providing a strong mandate for governments to accelerate the transition.
3. Future Projections: Despite consistent underestimation by official bodies, the current trajectory suggests solar power is on track to become the world’s primary source of energy by 2035, marking a pivotal achievement in the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the rapid global expansion of solar power addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis below details the most relevant SDGs, supported by evidence from the text.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  This is the most central SDG in the article. The entire piece focusses on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, specifically solar power, highlighting its increasing affordability, efficiency, and accessibility worldwide. The article states, “renewable energy has suddenly become the obvious, mainstream, cost-efficient choice around the world.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article directly links the adoption of renewable energy to the fight against the climate crisis. It presents the shift to solar as a primary solution, noting that reducing reliance on fossil fuels cuts carbon emissions. For example, it mentions that in China, “total carbon emissions… had actually decreased; emissions linked to producing electricity fell nearly six per cent, as solar and wind have replaced coal.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The text emphasizes the technological innovation driving the solar revolution, from the invention of the photovoltaic cell to the massive improvements in battery storage. It discusses the industrial scale-up, particularly in China, which “installs more than half the world’s renewable energy and storage within its own borders, and exports most of the solar panels and batteries.” It also covers the build-out of new infrastructure like grid-scale batteries and charging networks.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article touches upon sustainable production patterns by highlighting the increasing efficiency of solar panel manufacturing (“the silver used in one solar panel built in 2010 would be enough for around five panels today”) and the potential for a circular economy through recycling. It notes that minerals from old panels and batteries “will almost certainly be recycled,” creating a “closed-loop supply system.”

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The economic benefits and shifts in the labor market are discussed. The article points to California, which “surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy” while generating 82% of its power from renewables on a given day. It also mentions the creation of new opportunities, such as job training for former coal plant workers to work in a “low-carbon energy hub.”

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article implies progress towards this goal by discussing the infrastructure that supports sustainable urban living. It mentions that “Grid-scale batteries have become so large that they can power whole cities for hours at a time,” which is crucial for creating resilient and sustainable energy systems for communities.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  A direct connection is made through the story of farmers in Pakistan. The adoption of solar power for irrigation eliminates the high cost and unreliability of diesel fuel, making farming more sustainable and productive. One farmer is quoted saying, “I have never seen such a big change in farming. Ninety-five percent of farmland has switched to solar in this area,” which supports resilient agricultural practices and food security.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, several specific SDG targets can be identified as being directly addressed.

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

   This target is the core theme of the article. The text provides numerous statistics demonstrating a massive increase in the share of renewables, stating, “Last year, ninety-six per cent of the global demand for new electricity was met by renewables.” It also notes that China hit its 2030 clean power target “six years ahead of schedule.”

2. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

   The article explains that electricity (“work energy”) is far more efficient than combustion (“heat energy”). It provides concrete examples: “An electric heat pump is three to five times as efficient as the gas boiler,” and “it takes two to three times more energy to run a standard car than to run an E.V.”

3. Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

   The article shows how solar power is “leapfrogging” traditional grid infrastructure in developing nations. In Pakistan and Nigeria, where national grids are unreliable, individuals and businesses are installing solar panels to get reliable and affordable power, thereby increasing energy access. The article notes, “solar has become a no-brainer for most businesses, if not all. The prices just make sense.”

4. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

   The article references national policies like the U.S. “Inflation Reduction Act” and China’s national goal to produce “twelve hundred gigawatts of clean power by 2030” as key drivers of the renewable energy transition, demonstrating the integration of climate action into national planning.

5. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable…and greater adoption of clean…technologies.

   The text describes a massive industrial and infrastructural shift. It details how the world is adding “eighty gigawatts of grid-scale storage” in 2025 and how old coal plant sites are being repurposed into “low-carbon energy hub[s],” directly reflecting this target.

6. Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

   The article addresses this target by discussing the future of used solar panels and batteries. It states that “when batteries or solar panels degrade, the minerals in them remain valuable enough that they will almost certainly be recycled,” pointing towards a future of reduced waste in the energy sector.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article is rich with quantitative and qualitative data that serve as indicators for measuring progress towards the identified SDG targets.

• Indicator for Target 7.2 (Renewable energy share):

  The article provides multiple direct indicators.

  • Percentage of new electricity demand met by renewables: “Last year, ninety-six per cent of the global demand for new electricity was met by renewables.”
  • Rate of solar installation: “people are now putting up a gigawatt’s worth of solar panels… every fifteen hours.”
  • Share of renewables in a specific region’s energy mix: “Over the course of the entire day, they [renewables] produced eighty-two per cent of the power in California.”

• Indicator for Target 13.2 (Greenhouse gas emissions):

  The article provides a direct indicator of emission reductions.

  • Change in national carbon emissions: “analysts reported that, in the first quarter of the year, total carbon emissions in China had actually decreased; emissions linked to producing electricity fell nearly six per cent.”
  • Reduction in fossil fuel use: “California is so far using forty per cent less natural gas to generate electricity than it did in 2023.”

• Indicator for Target 7.3 (Energy efficiency):

  The article provides comparative efficiency data.

  • Efficiency ratio of technologies: “An electric heat pump is three to five times as efficient as the gas boiler.”
  • Sales data for efficient technologies: “Last year, for the third year straight, heat pumps outsold furnaces in the U.S.”

• Indicator for Target 12.2 / 12.5 (Sustainable resource management and recycling):

  The article provides indicators related to material use and recycling.

  • Reduction in materials per unit of production: “In 2004… one watt of solar power required about sixteen grams of polysilicon; this has dropped now to about two grams.”
  • Projected source of future materials: A report is cited predicting that “by 2050 we will have done all the mining we’ll need to do for battery minerals; after that, we’ll just recycle them.”

• Indicator for Target 2.4 (Sustainable agriculture):

  The article provides a specific example of a shift in agricultural practices.

  • Adoption rate of sustainable technology in farming: In a region of Pakistan, “Ninety-five percent of farmland has switched to solar in this area” for irrigation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.	96% of new global electricity demand met by renewables. Installation of 1 gigawatt of solar power every 15 hours. In the U.S., 93% of new generating capacity came from solar, wind, and batteries.
	7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.	Electric heat pumps are 3-5 times more efficient than gas boilers. EVs are 2-3 times more energy efficient than internal combustion cars. Heat pump sales have outpaced furnace sales in the U.S. for three consecutive years.
	7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.	Rooftop solar in Namibia provides 15% of the country’s peak demand. In Pakistan and Nigeria, off-grid solar provides reliable power where the national grid fails.
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.	China’s carbon emissions from electricity production fell by nearly 6% in Q1 due to solar and wind. California’s natural gas use for electricity is down 40% from 2023. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides tax credits for clean energy.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.	The world will add 80 gigawatts of grid-scale battery storage in 2025, an eightfold increase from 2021. A former coal plant in England is being converted into a “low-carbon energy hub.” The cost of energy storage has dropped 95% over the past 15 years.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.	Minerals in degraded solar panels and batteries are valuable enough to be recycled. Prediction that by 2050, all battery minerals needed will come from recycling rather than new mining. The amount of polysilicon needed per watt of solar has dropped from 16 grams to 2 grams since 2004.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.	In a farming area in Pakistan, 95% of farmland has switched to solar for irrigation. Diesel sales in Pakistan fell 30% in 2024, indicating a major shift away from fossil fuels in agriculture.

Source: newyorker.com