DOE study looks at role of solar energy in decarbonizing grid

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a new report that examines the role solar energy will play in decarbonizing the nation’s power grid.

The Solar Futures Study indicates that by 2035, solar energy could potentially power 40 percent of the nation’s electricity and employ as much as 1.5 million people—without raising electricity prices.

“The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, could produce enough electricity to power all of the homes in the U.S. by 2035 and employ as many as 1.5 million people in the process,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. “Achieving this bright future requires a massive and equitable deployment of renewable energy and strong decarbonization polices – exactly what is laid out in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.”

The study, prepared by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, said the United States would need to quadruple its yearly solar capacity additions by 2035 and provide 1,000 gigawatts (GW) of power to a renewable-dominant grid. Decarbonizing the entire energy system would result in 3,000 GW of solar by 2050 due to increased electrification in the transportation, buildings, and industrial sectors.

Last year, the U.S. installed a record amount of solar, 15 GW, to bring the total to 76 GW. This represents 3 percent of the current electricity supply. Thus, the DOE study says the U.S. must install an average of 30 GW of solar capacity per year between now and 2025 and 60 GW per year from 2025-2030. The remainder of a carbon-free grid would largely be supplied by wind (36 percent), nuclear (11 to 13 percent), hydroelectric (5 to 6 percent) and biopower/geothermal (1 percent). Overall, wind and solar combined will provide 75 percent of electricity by 2035 and 90 percent by 2050, the study revealed.

A decarbonized power sector would employ 500,000 to 1.5 million people across the country by 2035. In addition, reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality would result in savings of $1.1 trillion to $1.7 trillion, outweighing the additional costs incurred from transitioning to clean energy.

The DOE added that reaching these goals depends on supportive policies. Without limits on carbon emissions and mechanisms to incentivize clean energy, the U.S. cannot fully decarbonize the grid.

“Moving quickly on climate change in the U.S. will require meeting the Biden administration’s goal of reaching 100 percent carbon-free power by 2035 and this DOE report shows how solar power can be a significant part of meeting that target. Solar power is an abundant and vital clean energy source that not only helps reduce emissions, but it also creates American jobs, drives innovation and strengthens our economy,” American Clean Power Association CEO Heather Zichal said. “We urge Congress to pass comprehensive infrastructure bills with stable policies and incentives to help make these goals a reality for a reliable and secure clean energy future.”