Solar power is always with us. We believe that what we do is important. With that, we have decided to create a series of short articles on how solar can help the environment. If you have any questions or concerns afterward, feel free to contact us to discuss what you can do as well.
How Solar Can Help the Environment
Even when it is cloudy and/or overcast, not that we see that much around here, the sun is still there providing us with energy. If you know anything about solar already, then you know solar panels are constantly storing some amount of energy by garnering photons in their photovoltaic cells. So without getting too technical in the science of it all, we’ll start by explaining how solar helps the environment. Since solar panels are constantly being hit by sun rays, solar panels are just absorbing the energy rather than taking it from burning fossil fuels through a pretty unfriendly (environmentally) process, solar panels are one of the most environmentally beneficial ways to generate electricity. the average nonsolar home creates about 7 metric tons of CO2 per year. Whereas, a home using solar energy, runs closer to 1.5 metric tons per year.
What about production pollution?
So a common misconception on the production of panels creating more pollution than it reduces has long been a myth, as cited here by the United States Department of Energy.
“An average U.S. household uses 830 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month. On average, producing 1000 kWh of electricity with solar power reduces emissions by nearly 8 pounds of sulfur dioxide, 5 pounds of nitrogen oxides, and more than 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide. During its projected 28 years of clean energy production, a rooftop system with 2-year payback and meeting half of a household’s electricity use would avoid conventional electrical plant emissions of more than half a ton of sulfur dioxide, one-third a ton of nitrogen oxides, and 100 tons of carbon dioxide.”
The study concludes, “PV is clearly a wise energy investment with great environmental benefits!”
How can I promote solar power?
You can start by investing in your own solar power. If you own your house you could install solar panels on your roof that will be able to collect solar power most of the year. You can also create a small solar farm in your yard if that is more to your liking. You may only be one person, but your impact always makes a difference.
To be continued…We will continue to educate and inform on the many areas of solar, including how solar can help the environment in your own backyard!
