The Biden administration on Wednesday released a report pointing that the US can get 40 percent of its electricity from solar energy by 2035. Read to know what this 10 fold jump means.
Here’s what the Solar Futures study says
The new Solar Futures study outlines how solar energy can help in decarbonizing America’s energy grid. President Biden plans to achieve a goal of net-zero emissions in electricity by 2035. The report spreads out the steps the US should take in order to achieve the 40 percent target. It also includes the steps to install 30 gigawatts of solar capacity every year between 2021 and 2025. And, 60 gigawatts per year between 2025 and 2030.
“The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, could produce enough electricity to power all the homes in the U.S. by 2035 and employ as many as 1.5 million people in the process,” stated Jennifer Granholm, the Secretary of Energy. The study also calls for extending tools to increase transmission of solar energy through storage forecasting and microgrids. These will play a “role in maintaining the reliability and performance of a renewable-dominant grid,” according to the Department of Energy.
How can the US reach the 40% solar energy goal?
The Biden administration is increasing its efforts to expanding renewable energy. In August, the US Interior Department announced about starting the process for providing easy access to federal lands for wind and solar energy. According to research by Rystad Energy, the government needs an area larger than the Netherlands to reach the goal. However, it exceeds the expectations and abilities according to the solar industries. Moreover, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) believes half of the foal can be reached by 2030.
“After years of policy whiplash, it’s time that we give clean energy businesses the policy certainty. They need to clean up our grid. And create the millions of jobs necessary to build an equitable clean energy economy,” said Abigail Ross Hopper. Hopper is the president of the SEIA. Over 750 firms also signed a letter to congress through the solar group requesting for changes in the policy. “We believe with those policies and a determined private sector, the Biden administration’s goals are definitely achievable,″ added Hopper.