A Decade of Progress, A Future of Possibilities

By Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, and Rodrigo Sauaia, Chair of the Global Solar Council

This year, the Global Solar Council (GSC) celebrates a major milestone: ten years of championing solar energy as a cornerstone of the global energy transition, as well as a key driver of sustainable development.

Founded in 2015, in the wake of the historical Paris Agreement at COP21, to unite and amplify the voice of the solar PV sector, the GSC has grown alongside a sector that is now central to our energy economy, as well as our climate future.

From around 229.9 GW of global installed capacity in 2015 to more than 2.000 GW today, the solar sector has moved from niche to mainstream. What once felt visionary is now reality. Together, we have pushed boundaries on technology, lowered costs by more than 90%, empowered local communities, reduced electricity costs of consumers, increased the competitiveness of small, medium, and large-scale businesses, significantly reduced the emissions of greenhouse gases, and created 7 million new high-quality green jobs in the process. And there is much more to come.

The GSC has been proud to serve as a catalyst - representing and defending the solar sector, recommending policies and best practices, and accelerating momentum towards a cleaner, safer, and more competitive future.

But if the past decade was about proving what’s possible with solar, the next one must be about accelerating solar deployment in every corner of the world. As with the Sun, which shines for all nations and societies, solar technology must also become widely available and accessible for the benefit of all.

A Decade of Impact and Ambition

Through advocacy, research, and partnerships, the GSC has been a trusted voice for the solar sector worldwide. From market data and intelligence to global campaigns promoting the use of rooftop solar. From the call to triple renewables by 2030, to increase global investments in grids and energy storage, we’ve shaped a shared vision of what’s achievable when we work together.

Today, solar is the most competitive and fastest-growing electricity source worldwide. In fact, thanks to its versatility, adaptability, and outstanding implementation speed, solar has become the fastest growing source of electricity in history. With the growth of solar's competitiveness, investment is surging to US$ 0,5 trillion per year, and innovation is thriving as more efficient solar cells and modules reach the market.

Alongside this growth, the GSC has evolved and improved: rebranding, expanding our team, and welcoming new global leadership figures from the solar sector and beyond.

Despite all the progress, to truly meet climate and development goals, we must scale solar to deliver #3xRenewables, mobilize US$ 12 trillion in clean energy finance, modernize our grids, incorporate energy storage technologies in electricity matrixes, and ensure that every community can access the opportunities and benefits of a solar-powered future.

#PossibleWithSolar: A Shared Vision for the Next Decade

As we mark this 10-year anniversary of the GSC, our campaign - #PossibleWithSolar, #PossibleWithGSC - is more than a celebration. It’s a commitment to the future.

We are reflecting on how far we’ve come and inviting everyone - members, partners, friends old and new - to envision what we can achieve together in the next decade.

Can we power every home, school, hospital, police station, park, museum, library, clinic, household, small business, industry, and farm with clean energy? Can solar drive a cleaner industrial transformation and create millions more green jobs? Can we build a fair and resilient energy system that puts people and the planet first?

Yes. But only if we act - boldly and together.

Let’s Shape What’s Possible

This is a call to our global solar community: join us at Intersolar Europe, SNEC, RE+, London Climate Action Week, COP30 Belem, and online at the many events organised or supported by the GSC throughout the year.

From Solar Throwback Thursdays to a global “Wall of Hope”, from photo contests to future projections, this campaign is about co-creating the next chapter - with every voice at the table.

Together, we’ve made a decade of progress. Let’s take this next decade to shape a future of possibilities and further amplify the positive effects of solar worldwide.

Find out more about the campaign: https://www.globalsolarcouncil.org/our-work/possiblewithsolar/