With Solar Fewer Greenhouse Gases Are Emitted
Greenhouse gases are released when fossil fuels are burned, and its those gases that are hurting our atmosphere and health.
Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases that spell trouble for the environment. Other abundant ones include surface-level ozone and methane . Unfortunately, these gases get trapped in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming, which endangers all forms of life around the world humans, animals, and plants.
Simply switching to clean energy sources, like solar power, will help slow down climate change and all its harmful effects on the earths ecosystems.
Results On Urban Heat Island
The deployment of solar panels in the Paris metropolitan area would not be neutral in terms of urban climate. Figure 3 presents the difference in the daily minimum and maximum air temperature between the two simulations . In wintertime, when the sun is low, the impact of the solar panels on the air temperature is relatively small. Their implementation reduces the maximum air temperature by approximately 0.05 K in the city center and the UHI by more than 0.1 K in Paris and its dense suburbs, and by 0.05 K on the whole metropolitan area. However, we have seen that this is large enough to have a noticeable influence on energy consumption for domestic heating.
Figure 3. Difference of minimum or maximum air temperature between simulations with and without solar panels. Each panel is a monthly average. Horizontal and vertical axes are in km.
Figure 4. Population exposed to moderate heat stress in August 2003 . Left: with solar panels. Right: without solar panels. The figure reads this way: 100% of the population is affected by at least 7 h of heat stress per day, but only a few percents by more than 14 h of heat stress per day.
Solar Power: The Path To A Healthier Environment
If youre interested in helping the environment, solar power is a great path to take. Ideal for reducing carbon footprint, supporting healthier air and cleaner skies, and protecting sensitive habitats, including Californias central coast, solar power is one great way to promote the wellbeing of our planet.
Ready to learn more about solar power or take advantage of solar panels for your home? Contact Sandbar Solar today!
About the Author
Scott is the founder of Sandbar Solar & Electric. With a Bachelors Degree in Economics from UC San Diego, Scott has an NABCEP certification, and has lectured on and taught many high-tech construction practices and solar PV technical concepts to education institutions, including Stanford University and state-recognized electrician apprenticeship programs. Scott enjoys sharing his knowledge of the evolving renewable energy space and making a difference in his community.
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Better For The Environment
Solar electricity is one way to power your home or business that benefits the environment. There are no direct greenhouse gas emissions because the electricity is made from sunlight rather than burning fossil fuels.
Sunlight is a renewable energy source, meaning we will never run out of it. Coal and gas are fossil fuels and will eventually run out. And in our sunny state theres plenty of sunshine all year round.
Once you install solar panels on your roof, they convert sunlight into electricity cleanly and quietly. Our How does solar power work webpage explains the process.
More Health Benefits Of Solar Energy
Burning fossils to produce electricity deposits more toxic gases in the atmosphere. This endangers our lives every new day. If more people could start to use solar energy, some diseases like asthma, bronchitis, and some cancers can be minimized.
Some natural disasters like droughts, cyclones, storms, extreme heat are all associated with the production of electricity. Most human activities that facilitate regular energy production directly or indirectly affect human health.
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Solar Reduces Water Pollution
This one is a little less obvious, but certainly one of the biggest environmental advantages of solar. While all manufacturing processes require some water, including those used to make solar panels, the total amount of water needed to generate solar electricity is dramatically less than more traditional electricity sources. Older technologies such as nuclear, natural gas, and coal-fired facilities, all require massive amounts of water for cooling purposes. With solar energy, theres almost no risk to local water resources, nor does their operation strain local supplies by competing with agriculture, drinking systems, and other vital water needs.
What Do You Consider For Investing In Solar Pool Heating System
A solar pool heating system is a good investment for both residential and commercial applications. Its due to the fact that the heat energy absorbed from the sun is more affordable and is better for the environment. No matter wherever you live in, the heat from the sun is sufficient enough to heat your pool to some extent. But it can vary from a place to another.
Solar pool heaters amplify the effect of the naturally available sunlight which means youre fully able to reap the rewards of the natural sunlight. If youre thinking to invest in a solar pool heating kit, you should take a look at below discussed tips before making an investment:
Assess the usability.
Solar pool heaters are more or less effective depending on variety of things. They can be just anything from how much you use the pool, how big its size is to how much sunlight you receive on your property.
If you want to use your pool all the time and are looking to extend the swimming season, then you should consider investing in a solar pool heater. You should better work out on how much return youll receive on your investment before deciding on a solar pool heating system.
Assess the cost.
All of the costs associated with solar pool heating systems are upfront. Once youre done with the set up of solar panels, your pool will get heated by the solar energy. Youll need to make the investment and installation of solar pool heating system.
Make a decision on your preferred system.
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Solar Energy Reduces Respiratory And Cardio Health Issues
One of the biggest benefits of solar energy is that it results in very few air pollutants. An analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that widespread solar adoption would significantly reduce nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter emissions, all of which can cause health problems. NREL found that, among other health benefits, solar power results in fewer cases of chronic bronchitis, respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and lost workdays related to health issues.
The benefits of solar energy are clear. Not only can you save money on your electric bills you can also reduce your carbon footprint and improve the health of those around you. Compare quotes today to see how much you can save by going solar.
How Can We Make Solar Panels Sustainable
For the recycling of solar panels to be successful, materials used to build them must still be usable at the end of their life, decades later.
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While it may be more straightforward for materials such as metal and wiring, silicon needs specialty solutions that might need to melt it down.
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Glass also sometimes leads to impurities, such as cadmium, antimony, and lead.
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If Solar Panels Are So Clean Why Do They Produce So Much Toxic Waste
Bell Labs, 1954. Solar Panel Waste, 2014
Bell Labs & PV Cycle
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The last few years have seen growing concern over what happens to solar panels at the end of their life. Consider the following statements:
- The problem of solar panel disposal will explode with full force in two or three decades and wreck the environment because it is a huge amount of waste and they are not easy to recycle.
- The reality is that there is a problem now, and its only going to get larger, expanding as rapidly as the PV industry expanded 10 years ago.
- Contrary to previous assumptions, pollutants such as lead or carcinogenic cadmium can be almost completely washed out of the fragments of solar modules over a period of several months, for example by rainwater.
Were these statements made by the right-wing Heritage Foundation? Koch-funded global warming deniers? The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal?
None of the above. Rather, the quotes come from a senior Chinese solar official, a 40-year veteran of the U.S. solar industry, and research scientists with the German Stuttgart Institute for Photovoltaics.
With few environmental journalists willing to report on much of anything other than the good news about renewables, its been left to environmental scientists and solar industry leaders to raise the alarm.
The Trouble With Solar Waste
Destroys Solar Farm in Puerto Rico
Bob Meinetz
Maharashtra, India, 2014
EP
The Benefits For The Environment
Solar panels have several benefits for the environment due to their green energy and lack of emissions when running.
#1 Cuts down the energy you use from the Grid. Of course, solar power doesnt work at night, so for those who dont have solar batteries installed, they still need to be connected to the National Grid if they dont have enough energy to run the home after dark. However, it is still massively reducing their dependence on the National Grid.
#2 No emissions. As solar energy relies entirely on gathering energy from the sun and converting it into electricity for use in our home, using it means that you are not producing any greenhouse gases or contributing to global warming. It can reduce the carbon footprint of your home by 80% in one year.
#3 Its renewable. Solar energy is a form of renewable energy. This means that there is plenty of it to go around because it is an energy source that wont run out . Fossil fuels are a finite source of energy, and one that we damage the planet with when we mine and distribute it. By relying on solar panels, you are one less household that is relying on fossil fuels, and it can make a bigger impact than you might think.
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Solar Is One Of The Cleanest Energy Sources Available Today
The American Chemical Society has extensively compared solar and fossil fuels, concluding that Overall, all PV technologies generate far less life-cycle air emissions per GWh than conventional fossil-fuel-based electricity generation 11.
Also, the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System Programme released a joint paper explaining that, on top of far exceeding the energy payback time, over 90% of the materials in current solar panels can be recycled into the next generation 12. As the influence and impact of solar power grow, scientists and manufacturers around the world actively aspire to create even better, more sustainable solar energy technology.
Solar power is one of the most environmentally-friendly energy sources. Thats why Chariot Energy is passionate about providing solar power to Texas residents at rates that are competitive to traditional fossil fuel-generated electricity. Were committed to the future of solar power a safer, cleaner and greener future.
Check out one of our plans today!
Modification Of The Energy Balance Of The Roof
For the energy balance of the roof, the most important key parameter will, of course, be the proportion of roof area occupied by the solar panels. As mentioned above, we only consider the projection of the panels onto the horizontal surface . The fraction of the roof covered by solar panels is noted fpanel.
The following simplifying assumptions are made:
An average temperature is still calculated for the roof, without distinguishing between the parts of the roof under or beside the panel. This is reasonable, in particular for flat roofs with inclined panels, because the shadows cast by the panels can modify the radiative contribution to the roof beside as well as below the panels.
The coefficient for heat transfer from the roof to the sensible heat flux is not changed .
The effect of humidity on panels is neglected: the water interception reservoir treating rainwater and evaporation concerns the whole surface of the roof.
The effect of solar panels on snow is neglected. The snow mantel, if any, accumulates uniformly on the roof. Note that snow might change the energy produced by the solar panel .
These assumptions allow us to change only the radiative contributions to the energy balance of the roof. Assuming that the surface area of the shadows is equal to the surface area of the solar panels, the incoming solar radiation on the roof is:
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Solar Panels Are Long
Though there is much room for improvement in the manufacturing process, solar technologies have longevitylasting for about 30 years, with relatively low maintenance costs.
Of course, this too ultimately benefits the environment, with less need for replacement and maintenance, which could result in a lot of waste.
Solar Energy Is Renewable And Clean
When we use solar energy, were tapping into a power source that never fails. It brightens up our lives every single day, and we know it will never run dry!
Because solar energy is endless and renewable, we can depend on it for all of our personal power needs at home. We can keep reusing solar without fear of depleting it and leaving less for future generations to use. Theres so much sun that the amount of sunshine hitting the earth in one hour could supply a whole years worth of energy needs for the entire planet!
Also, solar energy is completely clean. It releases no harmful, dirty chemical compounds to the atmosphere. The suns rays simply hit your solar panels, and the captured energy is ready to be converted to DC power and supply electricity to your house…without ever polluting the air.
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Improves Humanitys Health In The Long
Weve already mentioned how the US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy believes that a solar energy system can help us reduce water scarcity, but in that same report, the office also estimates that cleaner air could have a positive effect on mankinds health. In fact, they estimate that we could save more than 25,000 lives.
Thats because with cleaner air comes cleaner lungs.
Solar Energy Slows Climate Change
Toxic gases produced during the generation of electricity enhance the greenhouse effect, not to mention air pollution. The greenhouse effect takes place when the earths surface is warmed to high temperatures.
This is influenced by human activities. Most catastrophic events happening today are blamed on the planets warming. The use of solar energy reduces these human activities hence reducing the effects of climate change.
Powering a household or work plant with solar energy cuts down on pollution in the environment and the air.
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Solar Energy And Pv Panels: Positive Energy With Downsides
Panels also only produce electricity on peak hours, i.e., when they get over 1000 watts of photovoltaic power. This means solar panels can produce electricity from an average of 4 hours to 6,5 hours a day, even if its sunny all day.
Its also a good idea to have solar PV technology reducing its carbon emission by powering mines and mineral processing sites, as in Australia or South Africa. Tighter regulations and good government practices are also fundamental to reducing the risks associated with mining activities. Furthermore, the development of the recycling industry for all types of minerals are also crucial steps in minimizing the impacts of the mining and, therefore, the solar energy industries.
In the end, solar energy is easier to set up anywhere in the world and it is becoming increasingly more affordable. If companies and nations want to fulfill their GHG reduction promises, it is important to keep growing their sources of renewable energy and keep creating incentives for solar or wind energy industries to develop. However, its still important to consider their side impacts and try to mitigate them so that solving one problem doesnt mean creating another one.
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Add An Electric Vehicle And Drive On Sunshine
Its pretty obvious that driving an electric car means fewer, if any, visits to the gas pump. Opting for an EV also means offsetting 100% of a traditional cars harmful C02 emissions. But what many people dont realize is that if you charge that EV from a non-solar home, all you’re doing is moving the energy expense from the gas pump to your monthly utility bill. A properly designed solar energy system will power your home AND your car while helping to further offset the dirty electricity that youd otherwise need to purchase from your utility.
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Why Solar Energy Is Better Than Energy Produced From Fossil Fuels
We have already mentioned about global climate change, which is observed now.
This is primarily due to the increase in carbon dioxide emissions from the operation of power plants on fossil fuels, industrial enterprises, due to the use of certain types of transport.
Our contribution to climate change is known as a carbon footprint.
It is about the number of greenhouse gases that are produced as a result of human activity.
This value is measured in thousands of tons of carbon dioxide.
The solar station with a capacity of 2 MW can reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by 2.7 thousand tons annually.
These figures increase many times when it comes to large industrial solar power plants.
Using solar energy, we can slow down climate change and save our planet.
