US seeking to make solar 50% of nation's energy by 2050

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Biden administration rolled out an ambitious plan Wednesday to ensure that solar power constitutes nearly 50% of US energy by 2050 as it furthers efforts to combat climate change.

An Energy Department study indicated that by 2035 solar energy has the potential to fulfill 40% of the nation's energy needs, employ up to 1.5 million people and decarbonize the nation's electric grid, all without driving up the price of electricity.

By 2050, solar could account for 45% of all energy needs, assuming strong cost reductions and supportive policies are implemented, as well as large-scale electrification of "end uses" such as water heating, automobiles and building spaces, according to the study.

Solar combined with wind power has the potential to constitute 75% of electricity needs by 2035 and by 2050 that number could reach 90%, said the Energy Department.

“The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, could produce enough electricity to power all of the homes in the U.S. by 2035 and employ as many as 1.5 million people in the process,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

“Achieving this bright future requires a massive and equitable deployment of renewable energy and strong decarbonization polices – exactly what is laid out in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda," she added.