The Solar Futures Study describes the potential of solar energy for decarbonising the US energy sector and helping to achieve the government’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions in electricity generation by 2035.
The cost of solar has dropped drastically in recent years with technological advances and increased uptake, amid a push to decarbonise energy sectors. The International Energy Agency has projected that by 2050, solar could contribute almost 30 per cent of worldwide electricity consumption, making it the largest source of electricity.
At present, solar provides three per cent of the nation’s electricity. Biden’s Energy Department would scale up production of photovoltaics to reach 40 per cent by 2035 and 45 per cent by 2050, transforming the US energy sector and infrastructure.
In a statement, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm commented: “The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy...