Solar energy could meet 100% of world’s energy demand

Solar energy could have major potential, if land were not an issue

It is not secret that solar energy systems require a significant investment of land in order to be considered viable. Small amounts of land limit the size of these systems, making their ability to produce electricity much lower than systems found on larger tracks of land. Devoting large areas of land has typically been a problematic issue when it comes to solar energy. Critics often suggest that solar energy will never be able to meet any significant portion of the world’s energy needs, but this may not actually be the case.

Report shows energy needs could be met using 1% of world’s landmass

A new report concerning the potential of solar energy has been released by the World Wildlife Fund. The report was also supported by First Solar, 3TIER, and Fresh Generation. The report shows that solar energy systems can cover the entirety of the world’s energy demand, using less than 1% of the world’s land mass. The report highlights new and emerging technologies to be the major reasons behind the capabilities of solar energy systems. The report suggests that if solar energy was allocated sufficient amounts of land, it could completely power the entire world by 2050.

Solar energy systems have a modest impact on environment

Devoting land to solar energy systems comes with environmental consequences. While the energy produced by these systems is clean and renewable, the systems themselves have a tendency to affect the ecology of the locations they inhabit. The potential for ecological damage has been one of the major hurdles preventing solar energy systems from taking root in locations in the U.S. and elsewhere. While 1% of the world’s overall landmass is a sizeable investment, especially in terms of ecology, it may be a investment worth consideration if solar energy can really meet the world’s energy needs.

Meeting 100% of world’s energy needs may not be possible in current political climate

The report suggests that the scenario it provides would have modest environmental impact. Despite the benefits of meeting the world’s energy needs through the use of solar energy, the report also notes that this ambitious endeavor may not be possible in the current political and environmental climate. It may be more feasible for solar energy to meet 30% of the world’s energy needs by 2050, with a significantly smaller investment of land.