Global Solar Council launched at COP21

The Global Solar Council (GSC) has been set up by 17 regional and national solar associations from around the world, including China, India, Europe and Brazil.

The UK’s Solar Trade Association (STA) is not a founding member, but a spokesperson told edie that the STA “totally supports” the new Council and “will certainly consider becoming a member”.

The Council says it aims to unify the solar power sector at an international level, share best practice and accelerate global market developments

“Today the solar power sector has united to fight climate change,” said Bruce Douglas, the new chairman of the GSC and COO of SolarPower Europe.

“There is consensus that solar power will become the principal source of electricity generation. It has a hugely important role to play in the international efforts to ultimately eliminate carbon emissions from the power sector.”

Australian Solar Council moves to world stage with launch of World Solar Council. Congratulations #COP21 #auspol pic.twitter.com/UONQ2HdP6s

— Christine Milne (@ChristineMilne) December 6, 2015

The GSC said it wants to convey three key messages about solar power: 

1) Solar power is already one of the cheapest forms of electricity globally and prices continue to decline fast. The levelised cost of solar electricity is 80% lower than it was during COP15 in 2009.

2) Solar power is the most versatile form of electricity generation and can be deployed anywhere in the world for the people of developing and developed countries alike. Solar also has the highest share of popular support of any electricity technology.

3) To avoid a greater than two degree increase in global temperatures, it is imperative to strongly accelerate the deployment of solar power. A 10% share of global power generation by 2030, from less than 1% today, is possible given the right market conditions.

The GSC is the second major initiative, intended to boost global solar installations, launched at COP21 in Paris. Last week, France and India announced a international solar alliance of 120 countries, aimed at bringing clean and affordable solar energy within the reach of all. The alliance aims to offer better technology diffusion, faster cost reductions and stronger policy lessons through international cooperation.

Brad Allen