Solar Energy Is Better for the Environment
Collecting fossil fuels for electricity is responsible for damage to certain local ecosystems. Many plants and animals suffer, as habitats are destroyed and flora is removed to create space for energy operations such as drilling infrastructure.
Alternatively, clean energy sources like solar can help ecosystems flourish once again. The installation of solar plants requires much less space and can be installed on top of buildings. Further, people and wildlife don’t experience air or water pollution from solar panels.
The production of fossil fuels requires mining, burning and drilling, which release greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) into the atmosphere. These GHG emissions, such as carbon dioxide, have detrimental impacts on the environment. By opting for solar energy and other clean energy sources, we can limit GHG emissions and help protect the planet from further damage.
Overall, solar energy can help your community restore ecosystems, reduce pollution and reduce green house gas emissions, all of which is vital to protecting humans, wildlife, and entire ecosystems. This in turn makes air more breathable and decreases the amount of water necessary to generate power.
Solar Helps With Land Use
Many traditional forms of electricity require a significant amount of space for energy plants, including a lot of valuable land. Fortunately, solar systems don’t have the same land use requirements. The benefit of solar systems is they can be mounted on your roof or placed in a remote area with barren land. As new technology comes out, solar systems will be better equipped to assist with land usage. Overall, your local environment can benefit from the minimal land use solar systems require.
Solar Reduces Carbon Emissions
Unlike fossil fuels, which require mining, drilling, transporting and burning to produce elctricity, solar panels are renewable energy sources that don’t release the harmful carbon emissions that damage waterways and the atmosphere. These pollutants are also damaging to the health of wildlife and ourselves, and reducing them could save 25,000 lives. Using renewable solar power will help reduce our dependence on finite resources that damage the environment, helping keep the Earth healthy and protecting our infrastructure.
Overall, the environmental impact of solar energy is generally favorable. However, it’s important to note that harvesting the materials for solar panels, such as specific metals and glass, can impact the environment, as can the construction of the panels themselves. Still, experts say solar panels can make up for the energy required to produce them in one to four years. These systems can also work for 30 years, meaning solar panels can make up for their environmental production costs multiple times throughout their useful life.
There are also some concerns about land use regarding solar energy. Some worry that solar panel installation for large-scale projects can damage or degrade the land and contribute to habitat loss. However, the potential damage to land and habitats can be minimized or even eliminated by installing large solar panel projects in low-quality locations, such as abandoned mining facilities to avoid causing land degradation in existing habitats, Installing panels on top of existing buildings can also reduce land use.
Naturally, some concerns about solar panels exist. Fortunately, the potential problems can be remedied by careful planning and attention to proper disposal methods.
