The health benefits of solar power generation: Evidence from Chile

Nathaly Rivera, J. Cristobal Ruiz-Tagle and Elisheba Spiller

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2024, vol. 126, issue C

Abstract: Renewable energy can yield social benefits through local air quality improvements and their subsequent effects on human health. We estimate some of these benefits using data gathered during the rapid adoption of large-scale solar power generation in Chile over the last decade. Relying on exogenous variation from solar irradiation and incremental solar generation capacity over time, we find that solar energy displaces coal generation and curtails hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases. These effects are largely manifested in cities downwind of and near coal plants that are displaced by the introduction of new solar. The reduction in exposure to air pollution from these displaced coal plants seems to be driving this relationship. Our results help quantify the health benefits that can be achieved through greater renewable energy investments.

Keywords: Coal power plants; Coal displacement; Solar generation; Power plants; Pollution; Morbidity; Developing countries; Latin America (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 L94 Q42 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Working Paper: The Health Benefits of Solar Power Generation: Evidence from Chile (2021)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:126:y:2024:i:c:s0095069624000731

DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2024.102999

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