Global Renewables Watch

The Global Renewables Watch project offers a comprehensive global temporal dataset detailing commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) farms and onshore wind turbines. This dataset is generated through the analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery, which is processed quarterly from late 2017 through mid-2024. It provides critical insights into the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure worldwide, serving as a vital tool for understanding global energy transitions.

To create this extensive dataset, deep learning-based segmentation models are rigorously trained to accurately identify these energy installations within satellite imagery. These sophisticated models are then deployed across over 13 trillion pixels globally, ensuring broad coverage. For each detected feature, the project meticulously estimates both its construction date and the type of land use that immediately preceded its development, adding valuable context to the observed changes.

This valuable resource supports sustainable development goals by offering crucial data for policymakers, researchers, and various stakeholders involved in climate action and energy planning. It enables the comprehensive assessment of progress in renewable energy adoption, facilitates detailed spatial analysis of energy infrastructure growth, and aids in promoting effective strategies for a more sustainable and resilient future. The open availability of this data fosters collaborative research and informed decision-making.