PV PLUS | Opportunities for South-South Cooperation: Solar Energy Use for Sustainable Development

As countries work to implement the 2030 Agenda and keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal within reach, solar PV has emerged as one of the most cost-effective and versatile clean energy solutions — especially for the Global South.

Yet many developing countries still face major barriers: limited grid infrastructure, unequal access to finance, high capital costs, and gaps in technical capacity. These constraints slow down solar deployment and leave millions without reliable electricity.

The UN DESA–CREIA–GSC report “Opportunities for South-South Cooperation: Solar Energy Use for Sustainable Development – PV Plus” shows how PV Plus — solar PV combined with storage and productive uses of energy — can help countries leapfrog fossil fuels, expand energy access, and advance sustainable development through South-South cooperation.