Future uses of solar energy

What is the solar futures study?

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.

What is the future of solar energy?

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.

What is the NREL solar futures study?

Read more about the key findings of the report in an NREL fact sheet or on the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office website. The Solar Futures Study is the most comprehensive review to date of the potential role of solar in decarbonizing the U.S. energy system.

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.

What are the opportunities for solar integration?

Their results describe a future rich with opportunities for solar integration: co-optimization with electric vehicles, solar system recycling and reuse, more equitable and widespread community adoption of solar energy, and much more.

Is solar photovoltaics ready to power a sustainable future?

A low energy demand scenario for meeting the 1.5 °C target and sustainable development goals without negative emission technologies. 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.