DOE Says Solar Could Comprise 40% Of US Power Generation By 2035

    The DOE’s Latest Solar Energy Report Discusses How Solar Energy Will Spearhead Job Creation And Decarbonize The Energy Industry

    Ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in a 4-MW solar system in Jurupa Valley, California. (Image Courtesy Of The US Department Of Energy)

    This August, the United States Department Of Energy (DOE) published a special report discussing the need to decarbonize the electricity sector, mainly through solar energy.

    President Biden has been vocal about carbon neutrality goals, most notably by aiming for a pollution-free power sector by 2035. The bipartisan infrastructure bill also includes key points that support electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable infrastructure. “Solar is the fastest-growing source of new electricity generation in the nation – growing 4000% over the past decade – and will play an important role in reaching the administration’s goals,” said the report. “According to preliminary results of an upcoming analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), to reach a largely decarbonized electricity sector by 2035, solar deployment would need to accelerate to three to four times faster than its current rate by 2030. Large-scale decarbonization of the electricity sector could move solar from 3% of generation today to more than 40% by 2035.”

    (Image Courtesy Of The US Department Of Energy)

    Similar to past years of solar research, the report agrees with the narrative that more investment will continue to drive down costs and improve the technology’s efficiency, in turn lowering residential customers’ utility bills. “The widespread adoption of solar power will also create new jobs,” said the report. “A pathway to a largely decarbonized electricity sector by 2035 can add millions of new jobs across clean energy technologies, including potentially 500,000 to 1,500,000 people working in solar by 2035.”

    The report cites evidence that justifies financial support from the DOE, concluding that funds will help American workers, consumers, and communities. “The United States is undergoing a clean energy revolution, and solar energy will play an important role in that transition,” said the report. “The country can build upon the success in solar innovation and growth of the past two decades. Bold investments can accelerate solar deployment nationally and, in the process, create thousands of high-quality jobs at home, expand manufacturing, and make solar more affordable for all communities. DOE will continue playing a key role in the investment in clean energy research, demonstration, deployment, and workforce development. This can position the United States to lead once again in solar energy and put us on track to meet President Biden’s climate goals.”

    For more information, we encourage you to check out the 10-page report to learn about tax credits, transmission and storage, advanced manufacturing, and more.