Most people know of solar power and its status as a “green energy.” But fewer people know about the specific environmental and public health benefits of solar power. They are more substantial than you might think.
How does solar power impact greenhouse gas emissions? How does it affect the ground and water supplies? How can solar energy benefit your health and the health of your community?
Answer these questions and you can start finding new energy sources that benefit you, your community, and the environment. Here is your quick guide.
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 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.
Find your solar solution to start reaping the environmental and public health benefits of solar. Sync Energy serves WA, SA, QLD, NSW and VIC residents. Contact us today by calling 1300 509 130 or complete our online inquiry form to request a quote.