Money spent building solar projects in the Global South prevents many times more carbon emissions than it would in the U.S. – the Impact Multiplier calculates exactly how many times more.

Using the Impact Multiplier, Renewables.org has found that its portfolio prevents 5 times more carbon per dollar than the same investment would in the U.S.

The Impact Multiplier incorporates three metrics:

• The Carbon Multiplier shows how solar projects on carbon intensive power grids in the Global South create greater impact. 
• The Sunny Days Multiplier shows how solar projects create greater impact when located in places that are sunnier.
• The Construction Multiplier shows how lower construction costs in the Global South help create greater impact.

Here is how it works:
(Carbon Multiplier) × (Sunny Days Multiplier) × (Construction Multiplier) = Impact Multiplier

The Impact Multiplier helps Renewables.org decide how to invest funds to build solar projects with the highest carbon impact.