September 19, 2023

How Solar Energy Benefits The Environment And Public Health

CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS  

Atmospheric carbon dioxide has a substantial impact on climate change. It’s absorbed by the atmosphere and stays in it for decades while radiating heat toward the earth, continuously warming the planet.

And climate change has numerous negative effects on public health. It makes it easier for infectious diseases to spread, increases droughts and famines, and worsens natural disasters. You can help diminish these threats by switching to solar energy.

Generating electricity from solar panels prevents air pollution since they don’t rely on fuel that emits carbon dioxide in order to run.

Using renewable energy sources will ultimately displace nonrenewable sources that burn carbon dioxide, preventing the use of coal and oil that send heavy emissions into the atmosphere.

METHANE EMISSIONS

Many people know about carbon dioxide and its relationship to climate change. Fewer people know about methane.

Methane lasts longer in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. But it traps more heat and radiation. The impact of methane is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide, pound for pound.

Burning natural gas and petroleum puts immense amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Solar energy sources require no methane for use or transmission. So the more solar power you use, the less natural gas and petroleum you use, and the less methane you emit.

GROUND POLLUTION

Nonrenewable energy sources damage the ground in several ways. Oil often spills into soil, harming plants and animals; and fracking for natural gas damages habitats and several layers of the earth.

Nuclear power doesn’t contribute to carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, but the radioactive materials used in nuclear power plants can pollute the ground. They often render areas inhospitable and cause radiation poisoning in people.

Solar panels are not significant contributors to ground pollution. And any rain that washes off of solar panels will not draw their materials into the earth.

It’s true that solar panels contain lead and materials that can be dangerous. But the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 years, so their threat is small. You can also recycle your panels when or if they deteriorate.

Installing a solar panel over your yard will prevent the grass underneath from receiving sunlight and water. Make sure you place your panels in an area that will not inhibit plant growth. If a plant grows under it, try to give it a little extra water.

AIR POLLUTION

The World Health Organization estimates that 4.2 million people die prematurely due to outdoor air pollution every year. A major cause of air pollution is the burning of oil, which contains several harmful chemicals that have carcinogenic effects.

Coal isn’t much better as it contains chemicals such as sulfur dioxide that can damage your lungs when inhaled. Coal particulates usually contain small pieces of metal and will impact your organs when they enter your bloodstream.

Air pollutants also have dangerous effects on eyes and can cause both short term and long term damage to your vision. Fortunately, solar panels don’t pollute the air at all. The materials in them aren’t released into the air even in extreme cases if there’s a fire.

TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE

Urban planners try to place power plants near residential areas, but even some that are nearby are often still far from houses.

This means that planners string up long transmission lines to transfer electricity throughout the town. However, some electricity is lost during the transmission process, requiring the power plant to burn more fuel to make up for what was lost.

Solar panel systems don’t require long transmission lines, and only need to generate as much energy as you need.

You can transfer any excess generated energy to batteries and save it for power outage scenarios. Or you tap into stored battery power at night when your solar panels aren’t operating. You’ll ultimately avoid burning fossil fuels and significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

WATER USAGE

Hydropower is another renewable energy source. It doesn’t pollute the air or contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. But it’s reliant on rivers and natural bodies of water, which can harm ecosystems and limit people’s water access.

Solar panels don’t impact water usage in any way. You may not even need to use water to clean your panels since rain can wash away any built up dirt, dust, or debris on them.

THE SUBSTANTIAL SOLAR BENEFITS

Solar energy emits no greenhouse gases and benefits owners as well as the planet in numerous ways. It displaces energy sources, like fossil fuels, that put carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

Solar panels do not pollute the ground or air, and don’t absorb water or contaminate rivers in any way. Their short transmission systems mean that they don’t waste energy, so you do not have to burn harmful fuels.

Read our other posts

What You Need to Know Before Adding New Solar Panels to an Existing System

What You Need to Know Before Adding New Solar Panels to an Existing System

Sometimes, you’ll outgrow the original solar system installed on your roof, and you might need to add some more panels to meet your additional electricity needs. Some common reasons to expand your solar panels are getting an electric vehicle, installing a battery, electrifying your home, or making home upgrades like an addition or a new pool.You may not know where to begin if you think you need more solar. Don’t worry - we cover everything you need to know about adding more solar panels to your existing solar system and if it’s always the right choice.

Why You Should Clean Solar Panels and the Best Ways to Keep Them Spotless

Why You Should Clean Solar Panels and the Best Ways to Keep Them Spotless

Regular cleaning and maintenance of your rooftop solar panels is crucial to maximize their energy production and prolong their lifespan. Dirty solar panels can significantly reduce efficiency and potentially damage the panels over time. By understanding why solar panels get dirty, recognizing the consequences of neglecting their cleanliness, and employing the best cleaning practices, you can ensure optimal performance and reap the full benefits of your solar investment.

Solar Panel Repairs and Servicing: Keeping Your System Working and What to Do When it Doesn't

Solar Panel Repairs and Servicing: Keeping Your System Working and What to Do When it Doesn't

If you own or lease a solar system, you no doubt did the math and figured that the energy generated by the solar panel system would reduce your electric bill enough to provide you with a good return on investment. This makes sense. In most states, solar panels can produce an ROI that outpaces long-term returns from other investments such as property or shares. According to Zillow, solar panels can also add about 4% to the value of your home over and above the monthly electric bill savings they generate.However, like any technology, solar panels require regular servicing and occasional repairs to maintain optimal performance. Without that, your solar system may not operate at its full potential, and all that nice math goes out the window. This can leave you in an infuriating position of having to pay both a monthly solar lease or loan payment and also a full electric bill until the system is fixed. When it comes to getting your system fixed, for most people, this will mean a simple call to their solar installer. However, things can be a little more challenging for those whose solar company is either out of business or is not responding to their calls. This is where many solar system owners have been left in the lurch, and their systems are referred to as “solar orphans”.If you have found yourself in that position, the good news is that there are now specialist solar repairs and servicing companies that have explicitly started to service the needs of solar orphans at a relatively low cost. In this article, we will explore the importance of solar panel servicing and repairs, the common issues that can arise, how often you should be servicing your solar system, how to tell if you have a fault, and how much solar repairs and servicing costs.