The objective of this study was to analyze the fuel displacement potential of solar technologies to determine if the potential air quality benefits are significant enough to justify the promotion of solar commercialization as an air pollution control strategy. Fuel displacement by solar energy was found to be greatest in the residential water heating market and in electric end-uses in the three AQCR's investigated. However, the results of this study suggest a limited role for solar energy in reducing air pollutant emissions. Emissions reductions in all three AQCR's were relatively small, generally less than one percent. The authors cautioned against generalizing these findings to the entire nation, since the report did not evaluate areas that were the most technically compatible with solar systems. Solar systems could readily be a viable emission reduction strategy in a specific case. The increased pentration of solar systems would reduce area source emissions, potentially lowering background emissions in urban areas.

Caption title. "Jan. 1983." "EPA-600/7-83-008." Microfiche.