Global Solar Council Celebrates 10 Years of Solar Progress

With over 2 TW of solar PV installed, 4.9 million jobs created, and more than 2.4 billion tons of CO₂ emissions avoided, solar energy is reshaping the global energy system. The next decade is our chance to scale this impact — delivering clean, secure, and affordable energy to every corner of the world. It’s been a decade of progress — and now, the future is full of possibilities.

5 May 2025, London - The Global Solar Council (GSC), the international trade association representing over 97% of the world’s installed solar PV capacity, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary by spotlighting a decade of global solar progress — and calling on governments, investors, and industry leaders to urgently step up efforts to turbocharge the next decade of growth.

Launched at COP21 in 2015, on the sidelines of the historic signing of the Paris Agreement, GSC was established to serve as the unified voice of the global solar PV industry. Over the past decade, it has expanded its reach, strengthened international partnerships, and grown into a platform for real-world collaboration — coordinating global action to address persistent barriers and accelerate progress.

GSC and its members believe a more just, prosperous and sustainable world is #PossibleWithSolar, and work to unlock the full benefits solar can deliver. Since 2015, solar has not only helped avoid over 2.4 billion tons of CO₂ emissions but has also saved more than 200 billion liters of water compared to fossil fuel-based generation — while boosting economies and supporting the growth of 4.9 million jobs worldwide.

Today, solar PV is installed in more than 190 countries, and costs have fallen by more than 80% in many markets. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that by 2035, solar will become the single largest source of electricity generation globally — but only if countries act now to overcome systemic barriers.

GSC has played a central role in aligning efforts across regions and sectors, building trust with governments and climate institutions, and supporting the deployment of solar technologies in new markets.

Today, GSC represents a global membership spanning over 40 countries, with a presence across seven regions — including India, Brazil, China, Belgium, Italy, Norway, and the United Kingdom — and continues to bring the voice of the sector to major climate and energy decision-making forums.

As the world looks to achieve the critical target to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, GSC is calling for urgent action to fast-track permitting, scale investment in grids and storage, lower the cost of finance and build inclusive solar markets that reach every region and community.

To celebrate this important milestone and rally the global solar industry, policymakers and investors to power a massive step-up in solar over the next decade, GSC will be hosting a series of events, roundtables, and campaign activations at all major industry and political events throughout the rest of the year. Beginning at Intersolar Europe 2025 in Munich, culminating at COP30 in Belèm, Brazil to celebrate the decade of progress — and fuel the momentum needed to power the next.

About the Global Solar Council

The Global Solar Council (GSC) is the united voice of the solar industry worldwide. As a non-profit trade body, our vision is to create a fair and sustainable world with solar at the heart of a new energy economy. Driven by our passion for a cleaner, more just world, we work as a community to ensure everyone’s voices are heard, advocating for swift progress to be made in the battle for the climate. We advise governments on the pressing issues central to the solar transition, including finance, grids, skills, sustainability and supply chains.

Get involved at www.globalsolarcouncil.org and follow us on LinkedIn, WeChat, X, and Instagram.