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The climate and air-quality benefits of wind and solar power in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Dev Millstein

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Ryan Wiser

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Mark Bolinger

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

  • Galen Barbose

    (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)

Abstract

Wind and solar energy reduce combustion-based electricity generation and provide air-quality and greenhouse gas emission benefits. These benefits vary dramatically by region and over time. From 2007 to 2015, solar and wind power deployment increased rapidly while regulatory changes and fossil fuel price changes led to steep cuts in overall power-sector emissions. Here we evaluate how wind and solar climate and air-quality benefits evolved during this time period. We find cumulative wind and solar air-quality benefits of 2015 US$29.7–112.8 billion mostly from 3,000 to 12,700 avoided premature mortalities, and cumulative climate benefits of 2015 US$5.3–106.8 billion. The ranges span results across a suite of air-quality and health impact models and social cost of carbon estimates. We find that binding cap-and-trade pollutant markets may reduce these cumulative benefits by up to 16%. In 2015, based on central estimates, combined marginal benefits equal 7.3 ¢ kWh−1 (wind) and 4.0 ¢ kWh−1 (solar).

Suggested Citation

  • Dev Millstein & Ryan Wiser & Mark Bolinger & Galen Barbose, 2017. "The climate and air-quality benefits of wind and solar power in the United States," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 2(9), pages 1-10, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:2:y:2017:i:9:d:10.1038_nenergy.2017.134
    DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2017.134
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