Covering every roof with solar could supply 2/3 of global electricity – study
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.
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!)
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In a discussion on the increase in crime committed by individuals riding electric motorbikes, the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has claimed that a certain style of bike is being used “almost exclusively” for criminal actions.
Jones, a British Conservative Party politician, made the claim in reference to Sur Ron-style electric motorbikes, which resemble something fitting between a small dirt bike and a large electric bicycle.
These vehicles, which can often reach around 50 mph (80 km/h), are technically not electric bicycles but rather small electric motorcycles. They are designed primarily for use on off-road trails and other non-street uses, meaning they are rarely street-legal. However, young riders often use them on streets anyway.
According to the Daily Mail, “The Police and Crime Commissioner claimed the majority of people using these type of e-bikes are ‘doing something wrong’ as she voiced her concerns over the spate of crime gripping Britain.”
Jones says that these electric motorbikes have been used extensively in street crime, usually in the form of phone snatching. Social media is full of videos of pedestrians walking down the street while using their phones and having them grabbed by a rider of a Sur Ron-style electric motorbike.
Scotland Yard has reportedly been in contact with the Chinese company Sur Ron, the manufacturer of many of these electric motorbikes, and the company has apparently vowed to cooperate with police.
Sur-Ron-style electric motorbikes have surged in popularity among young riders in Britain, particularly in urban areas where their lightweight frames, high torque, and near-silent operation make them appealing for both recreation and practical commuting. However, we’ve also seen them become a praised getaway vehicle for criminals, even if Jones’ claim that they are used “almost exclusively” for crime is quite likely an exaggeration based on confirmation bias.
Unlike traditional combustion engine motorcycles, these e-motorbikes can be more easily obtained to be ridden without a license, even if that is not permitted by local laws. Additionally, many are easily modified to exceed UK regulations with higher speed and power than is traditionally permitted.
Their ability to accelerate quickly and maneuver through traffic with ease has also made them a tool of choice for criminal activity, particularly in these types of phone-snatching and ride-by thefts, where offenders use the bikes to evade police and disappear into narrow streets or pedestrian areas.
With police enforcement struggling to keep pace with their widespread, often unregistered use, authorities continue to debate whether tougher restrictions or alternative solutions are needed to curb both their illegal modifications and criminal misuse.
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After dominating in China, BYD is making an aggressive push into Europe. With another EV plant reportedly coming soon, this time in Germany, BYD is taking direct aim at Volkswagen, BMW, and other domestic OEMs.
BYD wants a third EV plant in Europe, likely in Germany
BYD is already quickly expanding its European footprint with two manufacturing plants under construction. One is in Hungary, and the other is in Turkey.
According to a new report, a third could be coming soon. BYD’s executive vice president, Stella Li, recently told German newspaper Automobilwoche that the Chinese EV maker is eyeing another plant, and this time, it could be in Germany, the heart of Europe’s auto industry.
Although Li didn’t offer any other details, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Germany is likely BYD’s best option.
Germany is home to Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and several others, which could lead to a major market shakeup.
BYD has been gaining momentum, with overseas sales surging in the first two months of 2025. In January, the company sold a record 66,336 NEVs overseas. Last month, BYD topped that with just over 67,000 vehicles shipped to overseas markets.
Chinese brands continued gaining traction despite new vehicle registrations falling 2% in Europe in January. With over 37,100 vehicles registered, Chinese brands accounted for 3.7% of the market, up from 2.4% in January 2023.
BYD wants to grow the brand in Europe and connect with local buyers. Although Germany would likely be the best place to do so, high energy costs could be a challenge.
Last Summer, BYD bought out its German distributor, Heden Electric Mobility, giving it more control over pricing and out.put
With the EU imposing new tariffs on EV imports from China, BYD could offset some of the costs through local production. Meanwhile, China has also warned domestic companies not to invest in countries applying additional tariffs.
BYD’s plant in Hungary is scheduled to open in October. The second in Turkey will come online in 2026, and both plants are expected to have a combined annual production capacity of 500,000.
Although BYD is best known for its low-cost electric cars, like the Dolphin and Atto 3, the company is expanding with luxury EVs, pickups, smart SUVs, and supercars now hitting the market.
BYD is aggressively ramping up in the region. According to S&P Global Mobility, BYD’s sales are expected to double in 2025 to 186,000. By 2029, the company is expected to sell around 400,000 vehicles with a full lineup.
No final decision has been made yet, but Li said the third plant could come within the next two years. After overtaking Volkswagen as China’s largest automaker, BYD could set up shop on its home turf. Check back soon for more. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
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We EV enthusiasts have heard it all from the haters before. “What are you gonna do with all those batteries?” “There’s just not enough range,” and, of course, “Charging takes so much longer than a gas station visit.” As previously teased, Chinese auto conglomerate BYD has introduced a new 1,000-volt EV platform that can enable charging rates as fast (or perhaps faster) than a trip to the gas station. We’re talking five minutes.
We got official confirmation from BYD this morning (evening in Shenzen, China) following a report we followed last Friday. On its Weibo page last week, Build Your Dreams (BYD) teased some capabilities of a new EV architecture it calls the “Super E-Platform,” sharing that it will enable charging parity with gas station visits.
To achieve that, BYD promised 1,000 kW charge speeds—double the current industry leaders, including Tesla. In reality, it’s tripling the standard as most fast chargers on the market can only reach about 350 kW, and many of them (in the US, at least) are usually more in the 200s.
While there are some ultra-luxe EV models powered by higher voltage platforms, 800V has been the ceiling for a while, and to be honest, most models today cannot even hit 350 kW. BYD plans to change that with its new “Super E-Platform,” which has officially been unveiled and offers 1,000V and charge rates up to 1,000 kW.
BYD delivers charging speeds similar to gas station visits
As promised last Friday, BYD held a livestream event at its headquarters in Shenzen, China, where it officially unveiled its new 1,000V Super E-Platform, capable of charging 1MW+ (1,000 kW) rates. Per its Weibo post (translated from Chinese):
BYD officially releases flash charging battery with ultra-high voltage of 1000V, ultra-large current of 1000A and ultra-large power of 1000kW, achieving global mass production of megawatt flash charging with the highest peak charging speed of 1 second and 2 kilometers, completely solving users’ charging anxiety when traveling.
As you can see from the images detailing the new platform’s specs above, this is a 1,000-volt, 1,000-amp platform that enables charging up to 400km (249 miles) of range in a mere five minutes. As we pointed out last week, today’s event also marked the launch of BYD’s new Han L and Tang L models in China, which will utilize the new fast-charging platform.
To support future models capable of these industry-leading charging speeds, BYD plans to implement over 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations around China. However, the timeline of that rollout remains unknown to the public. You can watch BYD’s complete live stream, debuting the technology and its capabilities here.
Electrek’s take
While this technology is designed in China, for China (at least for now), BYD’s debut of the Super E-Platform is a momentous day for the EV industry. BYD has developed and delivered platform architecture that is the best in the world on paper and has proven that it is possible to deliver charging speeds that are on par with a trip to the gas station.
Charging times remain a huge hurdle for larger EV adoption, so news like this breaks a ceiling for the current industry and offers a glimpse into the future to a day when more and more electric vehicles can recharge quickly, taking one more argument away from naysayers. Bravo BYD.
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