How solar energy lowers greenhouse emissions

Solar power is more popular than ever due to its environmental and financial advantages. In addition, the obvious effects of climate change are motivating the move to renewable energy sources. Solar power could deliver $400 billion in environmental and health benefits throughout the United States by 2050, according to a study from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
"We find that a U.S. electric system in which solar plays a major role--supplying 14% of demand in 2030, and 27% in 2050--would result in enduring environmental and health benefits. Moreover, we find that the existing fleet of solar plants is already offering a down-payment towards those benefits and that there are sizable regional differences in the benefits," said Ryan Wiser of Berkeley Lab's Energy Technologies Area.

The financial value of greenhouse gas reductions

The total monetary value of the greenhouse gas and air pollution benefits of the high-penetration solar plan exceeds $400 billion in present-value terms. The new study evaluated the greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions reductions, air-pollution health and environmental effects, and water-use reductions from large amounts of solar. 

Benefits of the existing fleet of solar projects

Solar is also reducing conventional air pollutants such as sulfur, nitrogen, and particulates. This is extremely important in terms of human health. Overall, the health and environmental benefits of this pollution reduction are worth an estimated $890 million from reducing premature mortality and a range of other negative health effects

Benefits of a solar energy future

Looking ahead decades, with solar growing to 14% of demand by 2030 and 27% by 2050, the study finds GHG reductions of 13% in 2030 and 18% in 2050, compared to a scenario of no new solar. These emission reductions are worth about $259 billion in reduced global climate damages based on central estimates, or 2.2 cents per kWh of solar.

Solar power reduces water usage

Solar power reduces water use by power plants. Relative to the baseline scenario, achieving the SunShot Vision scenario reduces power-sector water withdrawals by 8% in 2030 and 5% in 2050, while water consumption is reduced by 10% in 2030 and 16% in 2050. States that are sunny, but drought-prone and dry like California, Nevada, and Arizona are among those with the largest reductions in water use.

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system!

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.