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Emerging and developing economies face an urgent and pressing need for economic growth that is both sustainable and inclusive, while delivering resilience and climate adaptation for every village and community.
Solar energy coupled with battery storage, both on-grid and off-grid, and especially when applied to productive uses such as agriculture, medical supply chains, and transport (collectively referred to as PV+), represents more than just a means of providing clean electricity. It can serve as a catalyst for economic growth, the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the creation of lower-cost energy systems, and enhanced resilience to climate impacts, natural disasters, and fragility.
Our mission is to promote universal access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy solutions such as solar plus storage systems, contributing directly to the achievement of multiple SDGs.
In this context, and as part of these knowledge products, UN DESA, together with the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association (CREIA) and the Global Solar Council (GSC), is launching a new flagship report titled: PV+ and Opportunities for South-South Cooperation: Solar Energy Use for Sustainable Development.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has convened a series of high-level dialogues, roundtables, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge products. These efforts aim to support governments and stakeholders from the Global South in navigating their clean energy transitions, fostering climate resilience, and ensuring that distributed energy systems benefit every community, including those at the last mile. Through these platforms, policymakers, experts, and practitioners exchange valuable experiences, best practices, and institutional insights, while addressing shared challenges and opportunities as a global community.
This report explores integrated solar solutions for sustainable development across emerging and developing regions. It promotes the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems integrated with key productive and social sectors such as agriculture, buildings, and transport - an approach known as “PV+”.
The PV+ Report will be officially launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, during a dedicated event at the SDG Pavilion on 14 November 2025. The launch will examine how PV+ applications can drive economic transformation, improve livelihoods, and avoid carbon lock-in by expanding clean energy access across low- and middle-income countries.
For more information and updates on the PV+ Report and related initiatives, please visit this page regularly.