tl;dr: Solar is set to surpass nuclear as a global power source in 2026, jumping from 1% of world electricity a decade ago to roughly 10%, and supplying three-quarters of 2025's electricity demand growth. The surge is driven by collapsing panel prices (under $100), cheap batteries that solve daily storage, and rapid adoption in "sun belt" countries like Pakistan where residents buy panels out-of-pocket. Growth may slow slightly in 2026 due to China changing its subsidy regime, but the main constraints are now grids, long-term storage, and electrification pace—not panel cost or supply.