Solar Energy in 2025: Global Deployment, Cost Trends, and the Role of Energy Storage in Enabling a Resilient Smart Energy Infrastructure

Solar Energy in 2025: Global Deployment, Cost Trends, and the Role of Energy Storage in Enabling a Resilient Smart Energy Infrastructure | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Energy & Environmental Materials This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 29 August 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Solar Energy in 2025: Global Deployment, Cost Trends, and the Role of Energy Storage in Enabling a Resilient Smart Energy Infrastructure Authors : Ehsan Rezaee and S. Ravi P. Silva 0000-0002-0356-1319 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175647950.09188768/v1 Published ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS Version of record Peer review timeline 2791 views 686 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The global energy landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation since 2021, with solar photovoltaic (PV) technology emerging as the cornerstone of decarbonisation efforts. This paper provides an updated analysis of solar deployment trends, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), grid integration challenges, and the critical role of energy storage in enabling a resilient renewable energy grid. Drawing on recent data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Lazard, and BloombergNEF (Bloomberg New Energy Finance), we highlight the unprecedented cost reductions in solar PV and grid scale energy storage, the rapid growth of hybrid solar-storage systems, and the policy frameworks accelerating adoption. The findings underscore the need for integrated energy planning, continued materials innovation, and international collaboration to achieve net-zero targets by 2050. Supplementary Material File (manuscript.docx) Download 2.77 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 29 August 2025 Peer review timeline Published ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS Version of Record 19 Jan 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Energy & Environmental Materials Keywords energy storage grid integration lcoe renewable energy policy solar pv Authors Affiliations Ehsan Rezaee University of Surrey View all articles by this author S. Ravi P. Silva 0000-0002-0356-1319 [email protected] University of Surrey View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 2791 views 686 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Ehsan Rezaee, S. Ravi P. Silva. Solar Energy in 2025: Global Deployment, Cost Trends, and the Role of Energy Storage in Enabling a Resilient Smart Energy Infrastructure. Authorea . 29 August 2025. 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Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); Cited by Mustafa Sacid Endiz, Atıl Emre Coşgun, Hasan Demir, Mehmet Zahid Erel, İsmail Çalıkuşu, Elif Bahar Kılınç, Aslı Taş, Mualla Keten Gökkuş, Göksel Gökkuş, Renewable Energy Applications Across Engineering Disciplines: A Comprehensive Review, Applied Sciences, 16 , 8, (3949), (2026). https://doi.org/10.3390/app16083949 Crossref Rebecca Saive, Gavin Conibeer, Lisanne M. Einhaus, Jean‐François Guillemoles, Koami Soulemane Hayibo, Karin Hinzer, Jacob J. Krich, Martha Lenio, Michael P. Nielsen, Frederick U. Nitta, Ian R. Sellers, Daniel Suchet, Eric Tervo, Tom Tiedje, Jelle Westerhof, The Need for Fundamental Photovoltaics Research to Ensure Energy Security, Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, (2026). https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.70105 Crossref Loading... View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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