The future of energy — solar, batteries & EVs
The energy revolution isn’t coming. It’s here. Solar and wind have gone from a rounding error to a major force in just 15 years — and the growth is accelerating.
Solar & wind: from 2% to 17% in 15 years
In 2010, solar and wind generated less than 2% of the world’s electricity. By 2025, that figure reached over 17%. More solar was installed in 2024 alone than in the entire previous decade combined.
Solar + wind share of electricity (2025)
Source: Ember Global Electricity Review 2026. Share of total electricity generation.
The acceleration
Most of the world just needs more solar. Some places need storage too.
At 17% globally, most countries aren’t anywhere near the limit of what the grid can handle from solar and wind. The answer for most of the world is simple: build more panels.
But in countries leading the charge — like Australia, parts of California, and northern Europe — they’ve already hit the point where generation isn’t the problem. There’s so much solar at midday that wholesale electricity prices go negative. The grid literally can’t use it all at once.
That’s not a generation problem. That’s a storage problem. And batteries are solving it — right now.
Where storage is already unlocking more renewables
- Australia — So much rooftop solar that midday prices regularly go negative. Home batteries and VPPs are turning that excess into value.
- California — The “duck curve”: massive solar oversupply at midday, demand spike at sunset. Battery storage is flattening the curve.
- Germany — Wind curtailment in the north due to grid bottlenecks. Storage helps absorb what the grid can’t transmit.
The world’s largest battery network is already being built
The biggest batteries rolling off production lines aren’t wall-mounted home units. They’re electric vehicles.
One EV battery vs. one home
Based on average home usage of 15–25 kWh/day
Cars sit idle 95% of the time
Source: US DOE / NHTS 2022
EV growth
Source: IEA Global EV Outlook 2025
How to get involved
Whether all three steps make sense — or just one — depends on where you are, what you pay for electricity, and how you use energy.
1. Get solar
If your roof and location suit it, solar is the foundation. In many countries, payback is under 7 years.
2. Add a battery
Store what you generate and use it when you need it. Especially valuable where time-of-use pricing or VPPs exist.
3. Go electric
When you’re ready, make your next car electric. Charge it with your solar. Eventually, it may power your home too.
Does solar make sense for you?
Model your own numbers — solar payback, battery savings, and grid independence — for free.
Try Photonik freeSources
- Ember Global Electricity Review 2026 — solar + wind generation share by country
- REN21 Global Status Report 2025 — solar installation records
- IEA Global EV Outlook 2025 — EV fleet and battery data
- US DOE / NHTS 2022 — vehicle utilisation (parked 95%)
Join the discussion
Can EVs realistically store excess daytime solar and release it at evening peaks? Share your view — and what you are seeing where you live — on the community forum.
Featured discussion
The future of energy — can EVs store our excess solar & wind?
Marty
0 replies
3 likes