The need for clean energy has never been more urgent. 2024 was the hottest year on record, with global temperatures reaching 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This exceeds the 1.5°C goal set by the Paris Agreement, indicating a severe climate crisis.

The root cause of this warming is the excessive emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases, primarily from burning fossil fuels for energy production. Evidently, the electricity and heat generation are major contributors to this problem, with CO₂ emissions from this sector amounting to 16.23 billion tons in 2021, equal to 43.06% of global CO₂ emissions.

Such reliance on fossil fuels has not only intensified global warming but has also led to more frequent and severe weather events such as wildfires, heatwaves and rising sea levels. To mitigate these effects and limit further damage, the world must transition to clean energy solutions that drastically cut carbon emissions and provide a sustainable path forward.

The shift to clean energy is gaining momentum. In 2023, 91% of new power capacity came from renewable sources such as wind and solar. In the first half of 2024, the renewable sector attracted over $313 billion in investment.

Solar energy, in particular, has become more affordable and efficient. From 2012 to 2024, the cost of photovoltaic modules in China dropped by 87%, while the global levelized cost of electricity for solar PV fell by 89% between 2010 and 2022, reaching just $0.049/kWh. Meanwhile, module efficiency has also surged from 14% to 24%. These advancements have made solar energy one of the most accessible renewable solutions for both residential and utility-scale projects.

Solar modules are now more efficient and compact, occupying less space while generating more power. This has significant implications for the scalability of solar installations, especially for urban areas or locations with limited space.

Additionally, technological improvements have enhanced modules durability, reduced degradation and extended the lifespan of solar panels. The combination of higher efficiency, improved reliability and greater longevity ensures that solar energy will continue to be the cornerstone of global green transition.

A major turning point in the industry came in 2016 with the introduction of passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) technology, which significantly improved solar cell efficiency, generating more electricity from the same amount of sunlight compared to traditional polycrystalline cells.

By 2022, N-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology emerged, offering even higher efficiency and better long-term performance. TOPCon cells boost energy output through innovations like a tunnel oxide layer that reduces energy loss and advanced surface treatments that improve electricity flow and reduce performance degradation.

These improvements enable TOPCon to approach a theoretical efficiency of 28.7%, well above PERC’s 24.5%. As a result, TOPCon has rapidly overtaken PERC: in 2024, TOPCon modules accounted for 74% of shipments among the top 10 solar manufacturers, while PERC made up only 23%.

Imagine a European household in 2014, considering the installation of a 10 kW solar system. Back then, the cost would have been a hefty $23,900, requiring an area of 80 square metres. Fast forward to 2024, the same 10 kW system now costs just $1,500 and covers a mere 46 square metres, according to JinkoSolar analysis. This staggering change is due to two key factors: the dramatic decrease in module costs and the significant improvement in module efficiency.

The transition from PERC to TOPCon has been driven by a range of industry leaders. Companies such as JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, JA Solar and LONGi have all played pivotal roles in advancing the technology and scaling its adoption. JinkoSolar alone has broken the world record for cell efficiency 27 times and holds one of the industry’s largest portfolios of granted N-type TOPCon patents.

As of February 2025, JinkoSolar had shipped 300 GW of modules worldwide –140GW of which were TOPCon modules – solidifying its position as the global leader in TOPCon adoption, with Wood Mackenzie naming JinkoSolar the world’s top solar module manufacturer in 2025.

Looking ahead, solar photovoltaic (PV) power will play an even greater role in the global energy system. The next wave of innovation will be led by tandem solar cells, which incorporate existing TOPCon technologies with other cell technologies to push the efficiency even further. As manufacturing costs continue to decline, adoption of solar energy will accelerate across all sectors, helping the world transition to a low-carbon future.

Government policies will be crucial for the continued growth of the solar industry. Policy-makers need to create supportive environments for renewable energy investments, offering incentives for clean technologies and backing research and development. By promoting investments in renewable energy infrastructure, governments can speed up the shift toward a more sustainable energy future.

Another essential part of this transition is the integration of PV and energy storage solutions (ESS). Energy storage solutions are crucial to unlocking the full value of PV systems, as they address the inherent variability of solar energy generation. While solar panels generate electricity during the day, ESS addresses the variability by storing surplus energy for use during cloudy periods or at night.

This integration ensures continuous power supply, enhances grid stability and enables greater self-consumption, especially in residential and commercial applications. Energy storage solutions also play a critical role in reducing dependency on fossil fuel-based backup power and mitigating strain on the grid during peak demand periods. Together, PV and ESS solutions create a more resilient, flexible and sustainable energy infrastructure.

In accordance with JinkoSolar’s mission of “optimizing the energy portfolio and take responsibility for enabling a sustainable future”, the company has developed PV+ESS integration, allowing PV systems to become a core part of strong, carbon-free energy systems – speeding up the transition by making solar power a round-the-clock solution instead of one limited by weather.

As adoption grows, this synergy between solar and storage will play a pivotal role in creating a clean energy future. PV and ESS development that promotes integrated energy solutions that enhance grid stability, enable energy independence and ensure that renewable power can be utilized whenever needed. As adoption grows, this synergy between solar and storage will play a pivotal role in creating a clean energy future.

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/synergy-solar-storage-clean-energy-transition/