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If the world covered every suitable roof with solar panels, it could supply 2/3 of humanity’s total electricity consumption – allowing the globe to transition completely off of fossil electricity generation, according to a new study out of the University of Sussex.

The study examined satellite data to determine the total suitable roof area around the planet which could be used for rooftop solar panels. It took into account roof slope, shading from other buildings, and so on.

It found that rooftop solar could provide a total of 19,483TWh of electricity, which is about 2/3 of global electricity use (which was 29,664TWh in 2023).

This total is actually more than the amount of electricity the world currently generates from fossil fuels – that number was 17,718TWh in 2024, driven mostly by coal and methane, two highly polluting sources.

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Thus, if all of the world’s roofs were covered with solar panels, all of current fossil fuel electricity generation could be eliminated, taking a big chunk out of the unhealthy pollution created by human activities.

Certain regions are seen as more ripe for deployment of solar panels, like East Asia which has a large percentage of the world’s building stock (due to the region’s high population), and Africa where despite low housing stock, solar penetration is currently very low and solar capacity is high.

In total, the study says that this move alone could reduce global temperatures by 0.13C. While that number doesn’t seem too large, it’s a big chunk of the 1.5C warming “budget” that scientists have determined the world has to work with – and every bit of movement past that number risks additional cascading effects that will make the world less livable for humans and other species, and cause more catastrophic effects like we’re already seeing as a result of the fossil fuel industry’s operations around the globe.

The study does include a caveat that as world temperatures continue to rise, this could make certain types of solar panels less effective, leading to a drop in total generation capacity. Thus, the more we confront climate change now, the more effective this tactic will be.

However, this effect is also balanced by the potential of solar panels to be deployed more effectively by optimizing tilt angles. The study’s base case assumes flat horizontal installations – but if optimal tilt angles or solar tracking was used, the panels could be up to 39% more effective. This means if the world covered every roof with sun-tracking panels, it couldn’t just cover 2/3 of electricity production, but all of it.

It also doesn’t cover the potential of large grid-tied solar projects, just rooftops. If we used certain desert land for solar plants (which could regenerate desertified locales), that only adds to the world’s solar potential.

But we have only compared these numbers to current electricity use. The world does use energy for lots of other things – and one of the largest chunks of this is oil for transportation. As global transportation shifts rapidly to electrification, this will mean electricity use will go up significantly (though total energy use for transportation will go down – since EVs are much more efficient than gas cars).

So while rooftop solar may be enough for our current electricity needs in an ideal situation where every rooftop is covered, there will still be other sources needed to cover the rest of the shifting landscape of electricity use. Ideally, those sources will be clean – which shouldn’t be hard, given that renewables are cheaper than fossil generation.

Further, solar is less suitable in some areas than others, and for certain tasks (such as the obvious nighttime electricity use), so electricity storage (either provided by EVs, home battery systems, or grid storage) or other low-carbon generation methods like wind, hydro or nuclear still have a place, particularly in instances when they have cost advantages.

Electrek’s Take

Among some governments’ efforts to make energy more expensive and harmful to your health, it’s nice to have some good news sometimes.

This study provides that news, showing that the roofs above our heads, which currently provide no active benefit (beyond the passive benefits of heat retention, shelter from elements and so on), could be leveraged without having to build any additional structures or use any additional land, and could cover a huge portion of our current energy use.

It’s something that has been estimated by advocates many times before, but now we have a study showing just how effective rooftop solar can be.

Not to mention that it can help you save money on your energy bills, while you contribute to solving the biggest problem humanity has ever had to confront (and hey, lookie here, Electrek even has a handy affiliate link to help you find out how much money you can save… isn’t that nice!)


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – ad*

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Honda launches 2025 Prologue deals: Here’s how you can snag some savings

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Honda launches 2025 Prologue deals: Here's how you can snag some savings

Honda’s electric SUV took the US by storm, becoming the top-selling EV in the US outside of Tesla in the final three months of 2024. This year, Honda is making the Prologue even more attractive, upgrading it with over 300 miles of range. With 2025 Prologue models now arriving at dealerships, Honda wasted no time launching new deals this week.

2025 Honda Prologue EV deals and offers

After the first models were delivered last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the US.

In the second half of 2024, the Prologue was the second best-selling electric SUV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y. This year, it boasts even more driving range and power.

Since Honda didn’t raise prices, it’s essentially a free upgrade (well, sort of). The 2025 Honda Prologue (2WD) now has a “top-class” EPA rating of 308 miles, up 12 miles from the outgoing model. It also packs 220 horsepower (+8) and 243 lb-ft of torque (+7).

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The Prologue is still available in single-motor (2WD) and dual-motor (AWD) versions in three trims: EX, Touring, and Elite.

The AWD version now has a range of 294 miles (+13) for the EX and Touring trims and 283 miles (+10) for the Elite. It also now packs 300 horsepower (+12) and 355 lb-ft of torque (+25).

Honda-2025-Prologue-deals
Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

With DC fast charging speeds of up to 150 kW, the electric SUV can add 65 miles of range in around 10 minutes.

The 2025 Honda Prologue starts at $47,400, but with the $7,500 EV tax credit, prices could fall to under $40,000. And that’s for the EX single-motor version with up to 308 miles of range.

Honda-Prologue-2025-interior
2025 Honda Prologue Elite interior (Source: Honda)

On Honda’s website, the 2025 Prologue is listed with a promotional rate of 2.99% APR for up to 60 months. Lease prices for the base model are not yet available, but the 2025 AWD EX is listed at $599 for 36 months with $4,299 due at signing.

Although the deals on the 2025 models are not nearly as good as the 0% financing and leases as low as $269 per month for the 2024 Prologue, Honda had to make up for the upgrades somewhere.

Trim Drive Configuration Pricing EPA Ratings
MSRP After Federal EV Tax Credit Plus $1,450
D&H
Range Rating MPGe Rating
(City/Hwy/Combined)
EX Single Motor (2WD) $47,400 $39,900 $41,350 308 113 / 94 / 104
EX Dual Motor (AWD) $50,400 $42,900 $44,350 294 108 / 90 / 99
Touring Single Motor (2WD) $51,700 $44,200 $45,650 308 113 / 94 / 104
Touring Dual Motor (AWD) $54,700 $47,200 $48,650 294 108 / 90 / 99
Elite Dual Motor (AWD) $57,900 $50,400 $51,850 283 104 / 87 / 95
2025 Honda Prologue prices, range, and drive configuration by trim (Source: Honda)

Honda is sweetening the deal with a charging package included in the Prologue’s price. You can choose from a free Level 2 home charger, a portable charging kit, or a $750 public charging credit.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is selling out fast with ultra-low lease and financing rates, while the 2025 model promises even more. Ready to try it out for yourself? You can use our link to find deals on the 2024 and 2025 Honda Prologue in your area today.

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Block bets on lending expansion after stock slump

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Block bets on lending expansion after stock slump

In this photo illustration, the logo for the US tech firm “Block” is displayed and reflected in a number of digital screens on March 03, 2023 in London, England. 

Leon Neal | Getty Images

With its stock down more than 30% this year and revenue growth slowing, Jack Dorsey’s Block is going bigger in lending.

The company on Thursday said it secured approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to originate loans through its banking subsidiary, Square Financial Services, allowing it to offer small-dollar consumer loans directly rather than relying on external banking partners.

It’s an expansion of Cash App Borrow, the company’s short-term lending product. But it comes at a time of increased concerns surrounding consumer credit, with President Trump’s expansive tariffs and widespread government job cuts raising talk of a potential recession.

Transaction losses in Block’s lending segment jumped 39% last quarter, and while the company claims its underwriting model is strong, small-dollar lending is inherently risky.

“Cash App Borrow is designed to provide short-term cash flow in a simple and accessible way when alternatives are notoriously expensive and difficult for consumers to navigate,” Block said in the press release. The company added that the average Cash App Borrow loan was under $100 and about a month in duration.

Block didn’t immediately provide a comment.

In getting approval to operate the lending business out of its own bank, Block says it will be able to offer the product nationwide.

Last month, Block reported quarterly results that missed Wall Street expectations, with revenue growing just 4.5% from a year earlier. The stock plunged 18%, its worst one-day drop since 2020.

Around the same time, Block rolled out Afterpay, its buy now, pay later product, on the Cash App card. Chief Financial Officer Amrita Ahuja told CNBC that the launch aimed to provide customers with more credit options, and positioned Cash App as a banking alternative for some customers. Block acquired Afterpay, which competes with Affirm, for $29 billion in early 2022.

Also this week, Block announced a big investment plan in artificial intelligence.

The company said on Wednesday that it will deploy Nvidia’s AI systems with its latest Blackwell chips to power open-source AI research. Block didn’t say what specifically it’s looking to achieve through its AI buildout, but noted in the press release that it will “start exploring novel solutions for our customers.”

WATCH: Block shares drop after earnings

Block shares drop after reporting earnings and revenue miss

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Kia’s first electric van looks even better in person [Video]

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Kia's first electric van looks even better in person [Video]

Kia is launching its first electric van, the PV5, later this year. If you liked how it looked in pictures, wait until you see it in real life. A production PV5 was spotted in Korea for the first time, giving us a closer look at the futuristic van. See it for yourself in the video below.

Kia’s first electric van spotted in Korea

After teasing it for what seemed like forever, Kia finally took the sheets off the PV5 at its 2025 EV Day event last month.

With its hard-to-miss futuristic design, the PV5 is a near replica of the concept shown at CES last January. The mid-size electric van is set to kick off Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy.

The PV5 will initially be available in Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab setups, but with “unprecedented flexibility,” you can expect to see more options soon. Two of the first will be the PV5 Crew, with additional cargo securing options and a Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle (WAV) version.

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After that, Kia will follow it up with Drop Side, Box Van, Freezer, Box, and Prime variations. It plans to launch a Light Camper conversion.

Kia PV5 spotted in Korea (Source: HealerTV)

With sales kicking off in the second half of 2025, Kia’s electric van was spotted in Korea for the first time without camouflage. A new video from HealerTV gives us a better idea of what to expect when the PV5 hits dealerships later this year.

The PV5 maintains its techy, almost ahead-of-its-time design. Two exterior body colors were shown: white and a darker grey or black. As the reporter notes, it actually looks like an upgrade from the concept.

Kia did what it could at the back so it didn’t look like a bus, giving it more of a rounded overall shape. You can see how it stands apart from most MPVs you see today.

Like the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Kia’s PV5 looks more like a minibus. At 4,695 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,899 mm tall, Kia’s passenger electric van is slightly smaller than the European ID.Buzz model (4,712 mm long, 1,985 mm wide, 1,937 mm tall).

It will be available with 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh battery packs, good for up to 400 km (249 miles) WLTP range. The PV5 can also fast charge (10% to 80%) in about 30 minutes. In comparison, powered by an 84 kWh battery, the ID.Buzz now offers up to 293 miles WLTP range.

Kia will launch sales in Korea and Europe later this year, followed by other global markets in 2026. Pre-orders will open soon, so check back for prices.

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