A worker does quality inspection at the Fuyao Glass America (FGA) facility in Moraine of Dayton in Ohio, the United States, Aug. 21, 2018.(Photo: Xinhua)

Solar power could account for nearly half of the US' electricity supply by the middle of the century, according to a government study released Wednesday.

The report, released by the Department of Energy, said solar could account for as much as 40 percent of the power supply by 2035 and 45 percent by 2050, up from its current level of just 3 percent. 

However, reaching this level would require the US to quadruple its annual solar capacity additions, the department said in a statement. 

This future also depends on extensive public investments, as well as policy changes, the department added.

"The study illuminates the fact that solar, our cheapest and fastest-growing source of clean energy, could produce enough electricity to power all of the homes in the US by 2035," Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said.

"Achieving this bright future requires a massive and equitable deployment of renewable energy and strong decarbonization polices, exactly what is laid out in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and President Biden's Build Back Better agenda."

The report comes after President Joe Biden presses for aggressive action on issues including climate change and renewable energy. 

AFP