{"id":20206,"date":"2022-05-03T00:08:49","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T00:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lightsourcebp.com\/news\/the-responsible-solar-approach-part-2-the-energy-transition\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T10:57:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T10:57:25","slug":"the-responsible-solar-approach-part-2-the-energy-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandbox.lightsourcebp.com\/us\/news\/the-responsible-solar-approach-part-2-the-energy-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"The Responsible Solar Approach part 2: The energy transition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Responsible Solar Approach part 2: The energy transition<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Second article in a series by Alyssa Edwards,<\/a> Senior Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Government Relations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The transition to clean energy is more urgent now than ever.<\/h2>\n

In my\u00a0last piece<\/a>,<\/a>\u00a0I laid the groundwork for a series on emerging best practices for utility scale solar power plants as a positive force in the communities they serve. Our industry is raising the bar for good as part of the energy transition.<\/p>\n

Each post in this series will cover one of those best practices.<\/p>\n

\u00a0But before delving into all of that, it\u2019s worth acknowledging the fundamental benefits of adding clean energy to the grid. We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that we are in a battle against a warming planet \u2014 and we are running out of time.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Solar is a major player in achieving our climate goals<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Data from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii shows we\u00a0are now past 420 parts per million (ppm) of carbon in the atmosphere<\/a>, which is far above \u201csafe\u201d levels of 350 ppm. The quicker we decarbonize, the better. Every degree, even every tenth of a degree, of extra warming has consequences for the earth\u2019s inhabitants now and into the future. Climate change is already\u00a0costing us billions<\/a>\u00a0from disasters and extreme weather events.<\/p>\n

\u00a0The stakes could not be higher. Unabated, climate change yields a bleak future where droughts and wildfires become the new normal. Coastal cities face a combination of deadly heat, sea level rise and more intense hurricanes. Climate change threatens our health too, as warmer, wetter weather spreads tropical diseases like dengue or West Nile virus.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Meeting our energy needs with clean solar power displaces other forms of energy generation and reduces climate pollution. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)\u00a0Solar Futures Study<\/a>\u00a0projects that by 2035, solar energy has the potential to power 40% of the nation\u2019s electricity and drive deep decarbonization of the grid.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Solar is one of the lowest-cost sources of energy on the market today<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Solar costs have declined dramatically \u2014 prices\u00a0dropped 90%<\/a>\u00a0in the last decade. It\u2019s the lowest cost form of\u00a0energy<\/a>\u00a0today<\/span>, and it\u2019s taking off with lightning speed. According to American Clean Power, in 2021, utility-scale solar power was\u00a0the third largest source of renewable energy<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>in the country, generating enough energy to power 12.1 million homes.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Take a breath of fresh air from clean power<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u00a0Another benefit of clean energy is clean air and clean water. Soot, particulate matter, smog, and other fossil pollutants reduce life expectancy, and foul our airways. A 2020 study in the journal\u00a0Nature<\/a>\u00a0found that closing coal-fired power plants reduced asthma morbidity in the local community. My child has asthma, so I care about these issues not just globally, but on a personal level.<\/p>\n

Reduced threats, more security and greater energy independence<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Even the Pentagon has sounded the alarm<\/a>\u00a0citing climate change as a source of heightened armed conflicts, and mass migrations, referring to climate change as a \u201cthreat multiplier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0As solar increases on the landscape, it\u2019s important to understand that there are unique qualities to solar photovoltaic generation. Solar panels require no fuel, so there\u2019s no chance for a spike in fuel costs, or a need to transport dirty fuels. Distributed solar systems produce power where it\u2019s used, reducing transmission loss. And, unlike conventional power plants, solar panels do not need a constant source of water for operations.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Given the global conflicts underway, the transition to clean energy is what will help us gain real energy independence. The faster we move to clean, local sources of energy that diversify our power supply, the faster we reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create more local jobs. We will also reduce our country\u2019s vulnerability to geopolitical crises and market volatility.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Here comes the sun<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u00a0There are so many benefits to clean, low-cost solar power. Less pollution, fewer health problems, and a safer, more secure nation. Solar is one of the sharpest tools in our toolbox to reduce rising emissions and take on the climate crisis.<\/p>\n

\u00a0In my next article, I\u2019ll explore soil quality and biodiversity enhancement measures, such as curated seed mixes, and other ways that solar developers can improve and protect the land below our solar panels.<\/p>\n

\u00a0As I wrap up, I want to acknowledge all our allies in the solar industry who are doing their part to clean up the grid, create jobs and build economic prosperity. I\u2019m proud of the progress the solar industry is making and excited to see what the future brings.<\/p>\n

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This is the second piece in a series exploring how best practices in environmental and land management increase community acceptance and enhance the surrounding environment. In our next piece we\u2019ll look more closely at soil health and biodiversity. Read it here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Alyssa Edwards first published this article on LinkedIn in on May 3, 2022. To leave a comment or question, please view the original post here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Discover Responsible Solar<\/h2>\n

Learn more about Responsible Solar<\/a><\/p>\n

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Related news <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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13 Jan, 2026<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Toyota enter into a power contract in Texas<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp and Toyota Motor North America have finalized a virtual power purchase agreement for energy from the 231MW Jones City 2 solar farm in Texas.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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14 Oct, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners announce $97.9M tax equity deal for Peacock Solar<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

\u00a0Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners today announced the closing of a $97.9 million tax equity deal to finance the 187 MW Peacock Solar in San Patricio County, TX.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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15 Aug, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp wins two North American Agrivoltaics Awards<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp proudly announces receipt of two North American Agrivoltaics Awards: Solar Ranch of the Year and Champion of the Year.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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