The Health Benefits of Solar Power Generation: Evidence from Chile | Cristobal Ruiz-Tagle

Cristobal will be discussing the paper The Health Benefits of Solar Power Generation: Evidence from Chile.

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 the rapid adoption of large-scale solar power generation experienced by Chile over the last decade. Using daily variation in generation, we find that solar energy (1) displaces fossil-fuelled generation, primarily coal-fired generation, and (2) curtails hospital admissions — particularly those due to upper and lower respiratory diseases. These effects are noted mostly in cities downwind of displaced fossil-fuelled generation plants, and are present across all age groups. Our results document the existence of an additional channel through which renewable energy can increase social welfare.

Please email gri.events@lse.ac.uk with the name of the presenter in order to request the Zoom joining details for this workshop by by 5pm on Tuesday 23rd February 2021.