This study finds that a future U.S. electricity system in which solar plays a major role{\textemdash}14\% of demand in 2030, and 27\% in 2050{\textemdash}would result in enduring environmental and health benefits; that the existing fleet of solar power plants is already offering a down-payment towards those benefits; and that there are sizable regional differences in the magnitude of the benefits. The total monetary value of the greenhouse-gas and criteria air pollution benefits of the high-penetration scenario exceeds $400 billion under central estimates, which is equivalent to roughly 3.5{\textcent}/kWh-solar. Focusing on the existing end-of- 2014 fleet of solar power projects,recent annual benefits equal more than $1.5 billion under central estimates, which is equivalent to 4.8{\textcent}/kWh-solar. Achieving the high-penetration scenario also reduces power-sector water withdrawals by 8\% in 2030 and 5\% in 2050, relative to the baseline scenario, while water consumption is reduced by 10\% in 2030 and 16\% in 2050 (see figure below).
}, year = {2016}, booktitle = {On the Path to SunShot}, journal = {On the Path to SunShot}, series = {On the Path to SunShot}, month = {05/2016}, address = {Berkeley, CA}, note = {A link to a journal article based on these findings published in Energy can be found here.
}, }