Solar’s growth isn’t just steady—it’s compounding. If current trends hold, half of the world’s energy could come from solar by 2035. That’s the prediction Andrew “Birchy” Birch has modeled using real-world data and the S-curve of technology adoption. He explains why mainstream forecasts underestimate solar, how exponential growth works in energy markets, and what policies must change to support a fully electrified economy.

Birchy is the CEO and co-founder of Open Solar, a free solar design and project management platform used by installers worldwide. A longtime solar industry pioneer, he previously co-founded Sungevity, one of the first online solar sales platforms, and has spent decades advocating for policies that expand solar access (like pushing forward the SolarAPP in the US). Now, he’s working with the Global Solar Council to push for an industry “Bill of Rights” that ensures fair energy market rules and a standardized approach to integrating solar into the grid. Want to hear and see the data supporting Birchy’s bold claim that Solar will be More than 50% of our primary global energy in just 10 years’ time?

Expect to learn:

Why the S-curve shows solar reaching 50% of global primary energy by 2035
How the U.S. solar market compares to the rest of the world
How SolarApp and permitting reform could unlock residential solar
Why tariffs and subsidies are distorting the solar market
How OpenSolar is making solar design software free for installers worldwide

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Mentioned in this episode:

CPS July 2024 V2

794: Solar Will Be 50% of Global Primary Energy by 2035 – Here’s How According to Birchy

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794: Solar Will Be 50% of Global Primary Energy by 2035 – Here’s How According to Birchy