The forgotten giant of electricity

Today, solar PV is the fastest-growing energy source in the world. Yet that would not have been possible without a history of innovation spanning decades. From the breakthrough discovery of a practical silicon solar cell at a US phone company in the 1950s to the rapid scaling up of solar panel manufacturing in China in the 2000s, these advances – along with supportive policies – have made solar energy cost competitive globally. And innovation could now reshape the sector once again, helping address emerging challenges such as grid integration and supply chain concentration. This episode is the first in a three-part miniseries on energy innovation stories that changed the world. It is hosted by Daniel Hewitt and produced by Daniel Hewitt and Julia Horowitz. Guests include IEA energy technology analyst Simon Bennett; Sekisui Chemical Co. group leader Takeru Bessho; Qcells Global Chief Technology Officer Danielle Merfeld; and Greg Nemet, professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of the book “How Solar Energy Became Cheap.”

Amid the disruptions resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, energy systems have come under significant pressure – compounded, in some parts of the world, by record-breaking heatwaves. But one of the most effective tools for easing these strains – and energy costs – remains underutilised. In this episode, we speak with Brian Motherway, who leads the IEA’s work on energy efficiency and affordability. He explains why we often fail to make use of the world’s “first fuel” – energy efficiency – and discusses practical steps governments can take to help consumers save energy and money, without compromising economic growth or their quality of life.

What did the global energy landscape look like just before the outbreak of the war in the Middle East sent shockwaves through energy markets in March? What were the major trends – and what might they tell us about what comes next? In this episode, IEA energy analyst Alex Martinos discusses the findings from the Global Energy Review 2026, which provides a comprehensive assessment of global energy trends in 2025. He highlights important developments across fuels, technologies, the electricity sector and emissions, along with the potential implications for the current energy context.