Use solar energy to generate electricity in the future

Photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power are likely to continue to grow rapidly—the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projects solar energy could provide 45% of the electricity .

A simplified analysis of 100% decarbonization of the U.S. energy system by 2050 shows solar capacity doubling from the Decarb+E scenario—to about 3,200 GW of solar deployed by 2050—to produce electricity for even greater direct electrification and for production of clean fuels, such as hydrogen produced via electrolysis.

The Future of Solar Energy considers only the two widely recognized classes of technologies for converting solar energy into electricity — photovoltaics (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP), sometimes called solar thermal) — in their current and plausible future forms.

The Solar Futures Study explores potential pathways for solar energy to drive deep decarbonization of the U.S. electric grid by 2035, and envisions how further electrification could decarbonize the broader U.S. energy system by 2050. The study was produced by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Ofice and the National .

The Solar Futures Study explores pathways for solar energy to drive deep decarbonization of the U.S. electric grid and considers how further electrification could decarbonize the broader energy system. The study was produced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

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What is the future of solar energy?

What is the solar futures study?

View SETO's goals. Explore SETO's research in soft costs and systems integration. The Solar Futures Study is a U.S Department of Energy report that explores the role of solar energy in achieving the goals of a decarbonized grid by 2035 and a decarbonized energy system by 2050.

Why is solar energy so important?

Fortunately, the solar resource dwarfs current and projected future electricity demand. In recent years, solar costs have fallen substantially, and installed capacity has grown very rapidly. Even so, solar energy today accounts for only about 1% of US and global electricity generation.

Will solar power the future of Transportation?

The Solar Futures Study finds that solar energy could power about 14% of transportation end uses by 2050. Solar PV couples well to electric vehicle (EV) charging: Both use direct-current electricity, which avoids efficiency losses in conversion to alternating-current electricity—a much as 26% lost, in some cases.

Are solar photovoltaics ready to power a sustainable future?

Nat. Energy 3, 515–527 (2018). Victoria, M. et al. Solar photovoltaics is ready to power a sustainable future. Joule vol. 5 1041–1056 (Cell Press, 2021). Nemet, G. How solar energy became cheap: a model for low-carbon innovation. (Taylor & Francis, 2019). Rogers, E. Diffusion of Innovations. (Free Press, 2003). Farmer, J. D. & Lafond, F.

How will the future of solar energy be shaped?

Changes across the wider energy system, like the increased electrification of buildings and vehicles, emergence of clean fuels, and new commitments to both equitability and a more circular, sustainable economy, will shape the future of solar energy.

Use solar energy to generate electricity in the future