15% Solar Power Increase Could Cut U.S. CO2 Emissions by 8.5 Million Tons

A recent study published in Science Advances by researchers from Rutgers, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Stony Brook University finds that a 15% increase in solar power generation across the United States could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.54 million metric tons, equivalent to removing emissions from nearly two million gas-powered cars. The study highlights that while the U.S. currently generates about 60% of its electricity from fossil fuels and only 3.9% from solar, expanding solar capacity could significantly mitigate CO2 emissions and improve public health by reducing harmful air pollutants. Using five years of hourly electricity and emissions data from 13 U.S. regions, the researchers developed a statistical model that shows both immediate and delayed CO2 reductions, with the greatest benefits seen in regions like California, Florida, Texas, and the Midwest. The findings underscore the importance of policy measures encouraging solar energy investments, especially as the current administration has moved to increase fossil fuel generation and reduce incentives for renewables. The study also emphasizes regional disparities in climate benefits from solar expansion, offering insights into where clean energy investments would yield the highest returns. This research arrives amid ongoing environmental challenges, including record warm years and global warming trends driven largely by fossil fuel emissions.