Solar Roofs and Solar Water Heating Act of 2010 - Summer

Advisor: Irene Boland

This report analyzes the environmental science underlying the proposed U.S. legislation S.2993, the “10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010” (Solar Act of 2010). The study evaluates the potential environmental benefits of implementing a national rebate program to support the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar water heating technologies. The proposal aims to reduce the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation and water heating while addressing the growing problem of global climate change.

Electricity generation accounts for approximately 42 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, with roughly 70 percent of electricity produced from fossil fuels. This reliance contributes not only to greenhouse gas emissions but also to environmental issues such as smog, acid rain, and habitat destruction. The report assesses how expanding solar energy capacity could reduce these impacts. Findings suggest that implementing the Solar Act could result in an annual reduction of approximately 3.04 percent of the energy sector’s carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, expanded solar deployment could reach a capacity equivalent to 18 percent of the coal-based generating capacity recorded in 2008.

The report also evaluates the advantages and limitations of solar technologies, including concerns about efficiency, reliability, and lifecycle environmental impacts. Overall, the analysis concludes that expanding solar energy capacity offers substantial environmental benefits, though the economic effectiveness of the proposed policy mechanism remains uncertain.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.