Volume 1, Issue 1 | March 2025

HOW SOLAR PV ENERGY IS HELPING THE WORLD ACHIEVE THE UN

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Author: Charles Ekpima.

Abstract SDGs

Solar power is transforming lives worldwide. 2.1 Ending Poverty (SDG 1):
It is helping to lift people out of poverty,
Lack of electricity keeps people trapped in
improve health, create jobs, and combat
poverty. Businesses cannot operate
climate change. The United Nations
efficiently, healthcare facilities struggle, and
developed 17 Sustainable Development
children cannot study after dark. Solar
Goals (SDGs) as a global blueprint for a
power is changing this by providing
better future by 2030. Solar photovoltaic
affordable energy in off-grid areas. In sub-
(PV) energy is directly and indirectly
Saharan Africa, mini-grid solar projects are
contributing to many of these goals, making
powering small businesses, schools, and
clean and reliable electricity accessible to
homes, acting as an enabler for economic
millions. This paper explains how solar PV
growth. The World Bank aims to bring
power is driving progress on each SDG with
electricity to 250 million Africans by 2030,
real-world examples and facts.
mostly through solar-based systems. In
1. Introduction India, solar-powered micro-grids are helping
farmers and shopkeepers earn more
Electricity is a foundation for economic
income by extending their working hours
growth, education, healthcare, and overall
and reducing energy costs. Then end
well-being. However, many communities,
product is poverty alleviation.
especially in rural areas of Africa, Asia, and
Latin America, still lack access to reliable 2.2 Reducing Hunger (SDG 2):
power. Solar PV energy provides a
Solar power is improving food production
sustainable, cost-effective solution that
and storage. Farmers use solar-powered
reduces dependency on fossil fuels and
irrigation systems to grow more crops, even
supports global development efforts. This
in dry regions. Agri-voltaics practices is also
paper examines how solar energy is
helping to increase crop yield by more that
advancing all 17 UN Sustainable
70% as the amount of sunlight required to
Development Goals and shaping a greener,
reach the crop at any region can now be
more equitable future for all.
control through the help of ground coverage
2. How Solar Energy Supports the ratio (GCR). In Kenya, solar-powered water
pumps are helping farmers irrigate fields opportunities for children. In Africa, solar-
without relying on expensive diesel powered tablets allow students in off-grid
generators. Refrigeration powered by solar areas to access educational materials,
energy helps prevent food spoilage, bridging the learning gap between urban
benefiting both farmers and consumers. In and rural communities.
the Amazon, solar energy has allowed
2.5 Gender Equality (SDG 5):
communities to preserve fish and meat,
reducing food waste and improving Women and girls often spend hours
nutrition. collecting firewood for cooking, limiting
their time for education and work. Solar-
2.3 Better Health and Well-being (SDG 3):
powered stoves and lighting reduce this
Solar power is saving lives. Many hospitals burden, giving them more time for school
and clinics in remote areas now rely on and economic activities. In Bangladesh, a
solar energy to run essential equipment like solar entrepreneurship program trains
vaccine refrigerators, ventilators, and women to install and maintain solar panels,
surgical tools. Without electricity, these creating jobs and financial independence.
facilities would struggle to provide quality Women-led solar & energy businesses are
healthcare. In Nigeria, solar-powered growing in many developing countries,
maternity clinics have significantly reduced proving that clean energy can also
maternal and infant mortality rates. empower women economically.
Additionally, replacing kerosene lamps with
2.6 Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6):
solar lanterns has reduced indoor air
pollution, which causes respiratory Access to clean water is a major global
diseases and kills over 3 million people challenge, but solar power is helping. Solar-
annually. powered automatic water pumps and
purification systems are providing safe
2.4 Quality Education (SDG 4):
drinking water to millions. In Ethiopia, solar
Without electricity, students struggle to water systems are reducing the time
study at night, and schools lack access to women and children spend collecting water,
modern learning tools. Solar power is lowering the risk of waterborne diseases. In
changing this by bringing electricity to rural remote Amazon villages, solar-powered
schools, enabling educators and learners to purification units ensure safe drinking water
use computers, projectors, and gain access without the need for chemical treatments.
to internet, for research/study purposes. In (Case study in Nigeria northern regions).
India, a program called "Lighting Up
2.7 Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7):
Learning" has installed solar panels in about
5,000 schools, improving digital education Solar energy is the fastest-growing source
of electricity worldwide. Just last year ATM points).
(2024), global solar capacity exceeded 2
2.10 Reducing Inequality (SDG 10):
Terawatts. China leads the world in solar
production, with over 386,000 megawatts Solar energy is making electricity more
installed. The “Solar Great Wall” project in affordable for low-income households. Pay-
China, expected to generate 100 gigawatts, as-you-go solar systems allow families to
will provide power to millions while also access power without high upfront costs.
reducing desertification. More countries are This is reducing energy poverty in Africa,
adopting solar energy as a way to reduce Asia, and Latin America. Programs like the
dependence on fossil fuels and lower International Solar Alliance are working to
electricity costs. ensure that solar power is accessible to
developing nations. Also with Solar PV
2.8 Jobs and Economic Growth (SDG 8):
system, power can also be made available
The solar energy sector is creating millions in remote regions were grid supply cannot
of jobs. The International Renewable Energy be access, thereby balancing the equality &
Agency (IRENA) reported that the solar right the energy between the rural and
industry employed over 5 million people in urban communities.
2024, a number that is expected to rise as
2.11 Sustainable Cities (SDG 11):
demand grows in 2025 and subsequent
years. Companies like d.light have brought Cities worldwide are installing solar panels
solar solutions to 30 million homes in 72 on rooftops, public buildings, and transit
countries, creating local jobs and boosting systems. In New York, solar-powered
economies. streetlights are cutting electricity costs and
reducing CO₂ emissions. In Africa, solar
2.9 Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9):
mini-grids are providing electricity to entire
Solar technology is constantly improving. villages, making communities more self-
Floating solar farms are now being installed sufficient.
on lakes and reservoirs, maximizing space
2.12 Responsible Consumption (SDG 12):
while generating power. Solar-powered
highways in Europe and China are By switching to solar energy, households
integrating energy production into and businesses reduce their dependence on
transportation infrastructure. In the Amazon, fossil fuels. This leads to cleaner air, lower
solar micro-grids provide power to remote electricity bills, and a more intentional and
villages, reducing the need for expensive sustainable way of living & consuming
diesel transport or fuel for running large energy.
data infrastructure that required 24/7 power
2.13 Climate Action (SDG 13):
supply. (Case study is the banking sector
Solar energy significantly reduces 2.17 Global Partnerships (SDG 17):
greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023 alone,
Countries are working together to expand
solar power helped prevent over 1.2 billion
solar energy. The International Solar
tons of CO₂ emissions. Governments
Alliance, with over 100 member countries,
worldwide are increasing their solar
promotes solar development worldwide.
investments to fight climate change. And
Investment in solar projects continues to
this is one of the ways out!
grow, strengthening international
2.14 Protecting Oceans (SDG 14): cooperation for a cleaner planet.

Less dependence on oil and gas for energy 3. Conclusion

generation means, reduced risk of ocean
Solar PV energy is transforming lives and
pollution and oil spills. Also, solar-powered
economies. By providing clean, affordable,
boats and fishing vessels are being
and reliable power, it is helping to achieve
introduced in some coastal areas.
all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
2.15 Protecting Land (SDG 15): With continued investment in renewable
energy, solar PV energy will play an even
Solar farms can be designed to support
greater role in building a sustainable future
local wildlife. In India, some solar farms
for all.
double as grazing land for sheep,
maintaining a balance between energy About the Author: Charles Ekpima is a
production and agriculture. member of 3 professional bodies in
Engineering and Safety practices including
2.16 Peace and Justice (SDG 16):
IAENG. A Service engineer in the renewable
Access to electricity improves safety and energy sector specializing in Design,
governance. Solar-powered streetlights Installation, Repairs, Optimization,
make communities safer at night, reducing Operation & Maintenance.
crime. In war-torn regions, solar energy Charlesekpima01@gmail.com
provides stable power for hospitals and +234-9128169099.
relief centers.