Last year, the world built more new solar capacity than all other energy sources combined. Solar energy is now growing much faster than any other energy technology in history. How fast? Fast enough to completely displace fossil fuels from the entire global economy before 2050. The rise and rise of cheap solar energy is our best hope for rapid climate change mitigation. Total solar capacity exceeded 1 terawatt (1,000 gigawatts) for the first time last year. The sector is growing by approximately 20 % per year. If this continues, we will reach 6 terawatts around 2031. In terms of capacity, this would be greater than coal, gas, nuclear and hydro combined. (Andrew Blakers)