The International Energy Agency has recently released a publication detailing its Solar Energy Perspectives for the coming decades, and the potential solar energy can reach by 2050.
The International Energy Agency publication aims to offer an updated picture of current solar technology trends and markets, as well as new analyses on how solar energy technologies for electricity, heat and fuels can be used in the various energy consuming sectors, now and in the future.
One of the findings of Solar Energy Perspectives is that in 90 minutes, enough sunlight strikes the earth to provide the entire planet’s energy needs for one year.
The International Energy Agency publication looks at which solar technologies are close to competitiveness, in which circumstances and for which uses. It also reviews the different types of policy support they require and for how long and investigates ways to make them more effective and cost-effective.
The International Energy Agency publication also depicts a world in which solar energy reaches its very fullest potential by 2050. A number of assumptions are made to see what might be possible in terms of solar deployment, while keeping affordability in sight.