Global Solar Council (GSC)

The GSC had its kick-off meeting for the Solar Training Standards Initiative (#STSI).👏 The initiative's main objective is to create a suite of global training standard modules covering the various skills required for jobs in the #solar sector, a certification entity, and the establishment of a solar certification registry.  The #solar industry has grown and matured rapidly, relying now on 5 million workers. During this rapid growth, many companies and countries have developed their own training standards, but the lack of recognized standards can be confusing for asset owners and limit career options for the workforce. By developing a common framework, the STSI will: ☀ Ensure the #safety and protection of its workers by providing certified quality training, for both large companies and SMEs.  ☀ Reduce the damage to the equipment and cost of operation for companies.  ☀ Support the skilled #workforce scaling-up that is necessary to meet our climate objectives.  ☀ Avoid duplication and confusion on standards, thereby facilitating investment.  ☀ Provide a reliable standard for smaller companies whose role is becoming crucial, especially in Least Developped Economies (LDCs).  ☀ Contribute to the dynamism of the workforce by providing transferable skills. The GSC is proud to partner with the Global Wind Organisation which has successfully implemented such standards in the #wind industry. Interested in learning more? Register for the afternoon’s presentation at 15:00 CET here👉 https://lnkd.in/eZdZfHxk You can also check out our website👉:https://lnkd.in/enpT49h7

Today GSC kicked off its #finance task force👏 Finance is a critical factor needed to rapidly scale-up #solar deployment and achieve #3xRenewables by 2030, especially in Least Developed Economies (LDCs) where the lack of access to finance severely jeopardizes our global #ClimateAction and a #JustTransition. GSC is playing a leading role to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to strengthen financing solutions for #solar across the world.🌍 A very fruitful discussion took place in today’s meeting on the financing challenges and the future actions of this task force. From access to low-cost and long-term financing for utility-scale solar, to micro-financing for distributed solar and due diligence standards – our members are on the frontlines of the financing challenges and solutions in diverse markets across every continent.  We thank Jinko Solar Co., Ltd.’s Head of Sustainability LIN SUN for chairing this workstream and spearheading initiatives on this crucial topic.  If you want to contribute to tackling a major challenge for the global solar industry, join our finance workstream: https://lnkd.in/edxTBvMU GSC will also be chairing the Finance Roundtable at the Global Renewables Summit organised by the Global Renewables Alliance and Bloomberg during #NYCW with high-level speakers. Learn more here:https://lnkd.in/dsrCFgcX

Last week our CEO Sonia Dunlop participated in the Global Renewables Alliance CEO strategy retreat, meeting with the five other CEOs representing the key renewable energy technologies on how to scale up #renewables and transition away from fossil fuels. Without #solar, #wind, #geothermal #greenhydrogen, #storage, and #hydro working together, the world will not be able to achieve the target set at #COP28 to #3xRenewables by 2030. All of these technologies are hugely complementary across the year, across the day, and in the minutes and hours of the early morning or evening where demand so often peaks. Without these technologies, the energy transition would not be achievable.    As #COP29 approaches, now is #Time4Action. More than ever, the world needs coordinated global-level action to transform our energy systems. It’s a tremendous task, but through global collaboration with the GRA and all its members and supporters we can make it happen. Find out more about how the GRA is working to achieve #3xRenewables: https://lnkd.in/e4PPZ5RM #3xRenewables #Time4Action #Lisbon #Solar #Wind #Hydro #GreenHydrogen #Storage #Geothermal #SolarCanDeliver #Solar2People    

💡 New Member Spotlight 💡 The GSC is thrilled to welcome its new member: RePower Ukraine 🇺🇦. RePower Ukraine Charitable foundation was established in 2022 by leading #Ukrainian experts in renewable energy. Their mission is to transform the challenges of the conflict into opportunities by creating a #resilient, independent, and #cleanenergy system for #Ukraine, with a special focus on developing municipal energy and ensuring energy autonomy for communities. 💬 "The collaboration between the Global Solar Council and RePower  Ukraine combines international solar experience with local knowledge. This  partnership aims to speed up Ukraine's shift to renewable energy, supporting  both energy independence and sustainable development" says Maryna Zamfir, Deputy Director at RePower Ukraine. Learn more about RePower Ukraine here 👉 https://repowerua.org/ Want to be part of our global community of #advocacy, knowledge, and opportunities to scale-up solar? Find out more about becoming a GSC member here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dz37-uSv 

China stands as a global leader in #solarenergy, producing over 80% of the world's solar panels and continuously expanding its installed solar capacity, with more than half a Terawatt installed in total by the end of 2023.☀️ China could have as much as 1,000 GW of solar power alone by the end of 2026 out of 11,000 GW of #renewables needed globally to meet Paris Agreement targets by 2030, underscoring its commitment to sustainable energy.⚡ The Chinese #rooftop segment, driven by both residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) sectors, held a 54% market share in 2022, showcasing the advantages of solar #energy for people. In 2023, #distributedPV reached a historical level with 96GW installed. Solar is affordable, clean, reliable, and helps Chinese families and businesses bring down their energy bills. 🏢 Despite this growth, challenges persist with regional variations in #grid connection processes and local regulatory hurdles, highlighting the need for infrastructure enhancements to support continued expansion. Learn more on how distributed PV empowers people in China with our report: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eQkeC2aQ #Solar2people

💡 New Member Spotlight 💡 The GSC is thrilled to welcome its new member: DRH Ltd. DRH (Digital Resources Holdings) enables the #EnergyTransition – Bit by Bit through compute infrastructure, fueling AI and #blockchain technologies. “DRH is very excited about joining the Global Solar Council. Our hybrid data centers offering unmatched flexibility will help the solar industry stabilize energy prices. We provide a more cost-effective solution than traditional #batteries, and the Global Solar Council will help us extend our reach to enable the energy transition everywhere”. Says Lukas Pfeiffer, Head of Strategy. Want to be part of a global network of #advocacy, knowledge, and opportunities to scale up solar? Find out more about becoming a GSC member here 👉https://lnkd.in/dQm_Aqen

The United Arab Emirates (UEA) is actively advancing in the #solar sector, notably marked by the development of the world's largest single-site solar farm at Al Dhafra, which boasts a 2 GW capacity. This impressive project has propelled the country's total solar capacity beyond 3 GW as of 2022. At the end of 2023, the total installed capacity was at 5,3GW. 📈 With a bold goal to reach 14 GW of renewable energy by 2030, the UAE is set to significantly reduce carbon emissions—projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai are expected to cut 6.5 million tons of #CO2 annually upon reaching 5 GW capacity.⚡ At the same time, the UAE has encouraged the adoption of distributed and #rooftop solar installations through programs such as the Shams Dubai Solar Program. This net-metering scheme aims to facilitate over 5,000 #residential and commercial systems with a combined 200 MW capacity by 2023. Initiatives such as Shams Dubai have helped simplify the #permitting and #grid connection processes, although the requirements can vary across different Emirates, impacting the ease of installation. 🏢 Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE has called for solar #PV to be installed on every roof in Dubai by 2030, as part of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, thereby acknowledging the benefits of solar as an affordable, clean, and reliable #energy.☀️ #Solar2people #EnergyTransition #Renewables

EU #wind and #solar overtake fossil power in the first half of 2024 🇪🇺⚡A true milestone for the EU power system. New analysis from Ember shows wind 💨️ and solar☀️generated 30% of EU electricity, compared to 27% fossil generation. Despite a rebound of 0.7% in electricity demand, #renewables have outpaced the recovery of the market, and pushed down fossil generation. This change in the EU power system must be sustained with the right policies, especially on the #grid connections.  Read the full report 👉 : https://lnkd.in/evsDn_GY #EnergyTransition #SolarEnergy

💡 New Member Spotlight 💡 GSC is delighted to welcome its new member: CleanCyclers. CleanCyclers is a volunteer-driven social enterprise that advocates for and takes action to ensure a waste-free environment, clean climate, afforestation, and #recycling - the most sustainable means of #WasteManagement. CleanCyclers aims to raise a global community of leaders with a genuine interest in protecting the #environment.   “We are thrilled to join the Global Solar Council, an esteemed association dedicated to promoting #solar energy worldwide. Waste reduction and recycling are at the forefront of a #sustainable industry, and aligning with the global trade body that champions #innovation and collaboration is both a privilege and a necessity.” Says Otto Canon, CEO of CleanCyclers. Learn more about CleanCyclers here👉: https://lnkd.in/eDGBMAZ8 Want to be part of a global network of advocacy, knowledge, and opportunities to scale up solar? Find out more about becoming a GSC member here 👉: https://lnkd.in/dQm_Aqen

#Germany is rapidly expanding its #solar PV capacity, reaching 82 GW at the end of 2023, with substantial contributions from rooftop installations. 📈    In the past year alone, 14 GW were added to the German market. About 35% of this capacity is residential, with commercial and industrial schemes comprising another 32%. Balcony solar is increasingly popular too.⚡  Germany aims to derive 80% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, with photovoltaics playing a crucial role. Despite efficient permitting, regional variations pose challenges. However, new incentives like reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) for small systems and adaptable feed-in tariffs in the “SolarPaket” support Germany’s push towards a sustainable energy future, and its 409 GW rooftop solar potential. 🏡 Newly installed capacity from solar power installations is expected to grow by double-digit percentage figures this year, empowering people with affordable green electricity and greater energy independence.☀️  👉 Discover more on the topic with our report "Distributed Solar in Germany": https://lnkd.in/eQXT6mum 👉 Gain insights into the broader market with the "German PV and Battery Storage Market” report by the German Solar Industry Association: https://lnkd.in/eGnccdp8 #Solar2people