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

Launched at the twenty-first Conference of the Parties (CoP) in 2015, on the sidelines of the signing of the Paris Agreement, the 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.

The GSC says it and its members believe a more just, prosperous and sustainable world is #PossibleWithSolar and work to unlock the full benefits solar can deliver.

The council notes that, since 2015, solar has not only helped avoid over 2.4-billion tonnes of carbon emissions, but has also saved more than 200-billion litres of water compared with fossil fuel-based generation, while boosting economies and supporting the growth of 4.9-million jobs worldwide.

“The last decade was about proving what solar can do. The next will be about ensuring it becomes the world’s leading electricity source.

“From 2 TW today to over 8 TW by 2030, we know what’s needed: cheaper and more accessible finance, smarter grids, investment in storage, resilient supply chains and a skilled global workforce. That’s what will unlock the full potential of solar,” says GSC CEO Sonia Dunlop.

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 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, the GSC points out.

The council says it 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. 

The GSC represents a global membership spanning over 70 countries, with a presence across seven regions, including India, Brazil, China, Belgium, Italy, Norway and the UK, 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, the 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,” it expresses.

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, the 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.

These will begin at Intersolar Europe 2025 in Munich, culminating at CoP30 in Belém, Brazil, to celebrate the decade of progress and fuel the momentum needed to power the next.