Evolution of Rooftop Solar's Emissions Impact
As clean energy continues to grow, the way its impact is measured is also changing. A recent study published in Nature Climate Change highlights that the emissions impact of rooftop solar is diminishing as the grid becomes cleaner.
The initial introduction of solar panels significantly reduced coal's presence in the grid. However, the progression of clean energy does not simply solve fossil fuel-related issues; instead, it reshapes them. With the increasing dominance of solar energy and the maturation of clean energy, new complexities arise, including managing abundance, balancing the grid, and redefining progress.
The cleaner the grid becomes, the harder it is for each new clean megawatt to make a difference.
California: A Case Study
California serves as a prime example, where increasing solar curtailment has occurred due to daytime generation causing wholesale electricity prices to drop to zero or even become negative. This phenomenon, where an abundance of solar power creates economic and operational challenges, is now observed in the world's most solar-saturated grids. Nevertheless, in California, this trend is starting to shift.
Author's summary: Rooftop solar's emissions math is changing as the grid cleans itself.
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