On the Path to SunShot: Emerging Issues and Challenges in Integrating Solar with the Distribution System.
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)
The U.S. Department of Energy launched the SunShot Initiative in 2011 with the goal of making solar electricity cost-competitive with conventionally generated electricity by 2020. At the time this meant reducing photovoltaic and concentrating solar power prices by approximately 75%— relative to 2010 costs—across the residential, commercial, and utility-scale sectors. To examine the implications of this ambitious goal, the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) published the SunShot Vision Study in 2012. The study projected that achieving the SunShot price-reduction targets could result in solar meeting roughly 14% of U.S. electricity demand by 2030 and 27% by 2050—while reducing fossil fuel use, cutting emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, creating solar-related jobs, and lowering consumer electricity bills.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 1431262
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2016-2524R; 625601
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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