Five Things to Know: A growing international coalition has backed the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration, supporting a global target of bringing solar power to 300 million households by 2030.
A growing coalition of countries across Asia, Africa and the Pacific has endorsed the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration, signalling increasing international support for rooftop solar and decentralised energy systems.
Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, Palau and Vanuatu are among the latest countries to support the Declaration, building on Australia’s initial endorsement.
Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company, PT PLN, has also joined the initiative. Additionally, 34 Members of Parliament from 21 countries have endorsed the Declaration.
The announcement comes alongside discussions involving Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, on the global 300 Million Solar Homes initiative, which aims to double the number of solar-powered households worldwide to 300 million by 2030.
Here are five key things to know about the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration and its implications for the global clean energy transition.
1. Five Countries From Asia, Africa and the Pacific Join the Solar Coalition
The latest endorsements reflect growing interest in rooftop solar as a way to strengthen electricity access, reduce energy costs and improve national energy security.
Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, Palau and Vanuatu have joined Australia in supporting the Declaration. Indonesia’s state-operated power utility, PT PLN, has also endorsed the initiative.
The coalition also includes 34 individual parliamentarians representing 21 countries, highlighting the growing political support for decentralised renewable energy.
The initiative seeks to encourage governments to make rooftop solar a more accessible part of their national energy strategies rather than relying exclusively on large-scale power generation projects.
2. Global Target: 300 Million Solar-Powered Homes by 2030
The Global Rooftop Solar Declaration supports the 300 Million Solar Homes initiative, which aims to double the number of solar-powered households globally to 300 million by 2030.
The initiative focuses on removing barriers that prevent households and communities from adopting rooftop solar.
These include simplifying installation approvals, reducing initial investment costs, improving access to affordable financing and developing a skilled workforce.
The Declaration also calls for electricity grids to be modernised to accommodate growing volumes of distributed renewable energy.
3. Bangladesh Targets 5,500 MW of Rooftop Solar Capacity by 2030
Bangladesh has outlined an ambitious rooftop solar expansion plan, targeting 5,500 MW of installed capacity by 2030.
According to Mirana Mahrukh, Secretary of the Power Division under Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the proposed implementation pathway covers approximately 870,000 rooftops.
The financing framework envisages a 20:80 split between domestic and international funding.
Under this arrangement:
- Around 174,000 rooftops would receive support through domestic financing.
- Approximately 696,000 rooftops would require international cooperation.
Bangladesh has called on international partners to help mobilise affordable finance, advanced technologies and investments to accelerate rooftop solar deployment.
The country sees rooftop installations as an opportunity to reduce electricity expenses while creating economic opportunities and supporting sustainable development.
4. Nigeria Highlights Solar’s Role in Expanding Electricity Access
Nigeria is positioning decentralised solar as an important solution to its electricity access challenges.
According to the announcement, decentralised solar systems have already extended electricity access to approximately 5.3 million people in the country.
Ibrahim A Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance and Stakeholder Engagement, said investment in solar infrastructure could strengthen economic stability, support local employment and reduce long-term infrastructure costs.
He also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in ensuring communities have access to reliable, affordable and zero-emission electricity.
The growing demand for rooftop solar and battery storage in Bangladesh, alongside Nigeria’s progress in decentralised solar deployment, demonstrates the potential of distributed energy systems in emerging markets.
5. Declaration Focuses on Finance, Grid Modernisation and Skilled Workers
Beyond setting a global ambition, the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration identifies six priority areas for governments seeking to accelerate household solar adoption.
These include:
- Simplifying approvals: Streamlining permits and administrative procedures to make rooftop solar installations easier.
- Policy integration: Incorporating rooftop solar into national energy and climate strategies.
- Affordable financing: Unlocking accessible funding for households and communities to reduce upfront installation costs.
- Grid modernisation: Upgrading electricity networks to accommodate distributed solar generation and household batteries.
- Equitable access: Ensuring that solar adoption is not limited to households with higher purchasing power.
- Workforce development: Expanding training programmes to build a skilled local workforce for installation, maintenance and related services.
The Declaration calls on national, state and local governments to accelerate rooftop solar and household battery deployment.
Australia Seeks to Take Its Rooftop Solar Experience Global
Australia is positioning its domestic rooftop solar experience as a model for wider international adoption.
Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy and President of Negotiations for COP31, said approximately one in three Australian homes already has rooftop solar, giving the country the world’s highest household rooftop solar penetration rate.
He said the Declaration aims to extend the benefits of Australia’s experience to other countries by addressing barriers related to financing, infrastructure and workforce availability.
Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, said rooftop solar combined with battery storage could provide households with more affordable and reliable electricity.
Heidi Lee Douglas, CEO of Solar Citizens, also highlighted the potential of distributed solar to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower electricity costs and accelerate decarbonisation.
The broader ambition, according to Solar Citizens, is to empower up to one billion people through 300 million solar-powered homes by 2030.
Why This Matters
The growing international backing for the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration highlights a shift towards making households active participants in the energy transition.
However, achieving 300 million solar-powered homes will depend on more than political endorsements. Affordable financing, reliable electricity grids, accessible battery storage, supportive policies and trained installation professionals will determine how quickly the ambition translates into installations.
For emerging economies such as Bangladesh and Nigeria, rooftop and decentralised solar could offer an additional pathway to improve electricity access, strengthen energy security and create local economic opportunities.