A study by Harvard researchers suggests that renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives contribute hundreds of millions of dollars by improving public health. These benefits are in addition to primary savings on energy.
“Health and Climate Benefits of Different Energy-Efficiency and Renewable Energy Choices” was written by researchers from the school’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
The study's authors looked at the benefits found at six locations in the mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes areas from projects started in 2012 and found that savings from energy efficiency and renewables ranged from $5.7 million to $210 million annually. The highest returns came from wind farms and energy efficiency, according to Clean Technica.
Wind farms are a key renewable resource. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation are providing $350 million in funding for many as 10 large scale solar farms. The goal is to create 200 MW of energy capacity through the projects, according to The Guardian.
