Planet and energy · 1 min read
Asia accounted for nearly half of rooftop solar potential
Asia had the largest share of potential, followed by North America and Europe, with differences across months.
The study, in plain language
Researchers combined data on buildings, roads, population, and solar radiation to estimate how much roof area could hold panels and how much electricity it could generate. The estimate was organized by region and month, showing differences across latitudes and seasons as well as a global total.
The scenario assumed panels with uniform efficiency and that every identified roof was available, flat, and unshaded. It excluded the cost of expanding the electricity grid and storing energy. The estimate helps compare regions and months and inform solar planning; it does not promise what will actually be installed.
The key idea
Rooftop solar potential varies by place and time of year, not just by the number of buildings.
Something to think about
When you see a figure for solar potential, check what it assumes about available roofs and which months the electricity would be generated.
The original study
High resolution global spatiotemporal assessment of rooftop solar photovoltaics potential for renewable electricity generation
Source under CC BY 4.0. English adaptation and explanation by PaperFlow, with AI assistance. The text has been reorganized for a general audience; it is not the complete paper and does not imply endorsement by its authors.
One study alone does not represent a field's consensus. Educational content does not replace professional advice. Report a possible error.