RALEIGH, N.C. — Solar energy provides North Carolinians with environmental and health benefits that often are overlooked, according to a new report. A study from the Environment North Carolina Research and Policy Centerand Frontier Group found by curbing the need to generate power at fossil-fuel plants, cities reduce smog and other kinds of air pollution linked to health problems. 

Report co-author Emma Searson, Go Solar campaign director for Environment America, said when implemented on a large scale, harnessing the sun's rays also comes with economic advantages.

"Solar power can also reduce energy prices just by driving down overall demand on our energy system,โ€ Searson said. โ€œAnd, it also lowers price volatility because it helps to diversify our energy supply. It reduces our dependence on fossil-fuel energy sources, which fluctuate in price."

In 2018, Gov. Roy Cooper announced a goal to shrink the state's greenhouse gas emissions 40% by the year 2025. Searson also pointed to the unexpected benefits of installing solar panels, such as having an immediate power supply after a natural disaster.

"I know I talked to many in Florida who had the benefit of having that power right on their home in the case of a power outage. When we have lots of solar owners as part of the grid, they all help make our entire grid more resilient and reliable in those situations,โ€ she said.

The report found many studies on solar energy, especially those conducted by utility companies, have left out the full range of solar's benefits. As a result, Searson said, lawmakers tasked with creating renewable-energy polices and incentives may have misconceptions about solar's value to society.

Nadia Ramlagan, Public News Service - NC


Public News Service Original Article


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