Solar power systems offer substantial environmental advantages compared to conventional energy sources, supporting sustainable development. However, there are occasions when large-scale deployment may face some adverse repercussions. Despite these challenges, there are several benefits of solar energy. In this blog, we will discuss how solar energy impacts the environment and its long-term effects.
How Does Solar Energy Impact the Environment?
Compared to other forms of energy, the environment benefits more from solar energy. It lessens carbon emissions, lowers our reliance on limited natural resources, and aids in the fight against global warming. This energy can also be stored even when there is no access to direct sunshine. To better understand how solar energy is advantageous to the environment, let’s take a look at its positive and negative impacts.
Positive Impacts
Here are some advantages of solar energy on the environment:
1. Solar Power Lowers Carbon Emissions
Tons of carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases are emitted into the atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels including natural gas, coal, and petroleum. With the advancements in the solar industry, we rely less on fossil fuel-based electricity, thereby further reducing carbon emissions.
2. Solar Power Conserves Water Resources
Water is a crucial component when it comes to the process of electricity production. Despite being recycled, water used in power plants evaporates or becomes contaminated. But, with solar energy, water conservation is achievable as panels require little or no water to generate electricity.
3. Solar Energy Decreases Air Pollution
The environment and human health can both be greatly impacted by the air we breathe. The power produced by burning fossil fuels releases toxic chemicals like methane and carbon dioxide, which worsen air quality and cause air pollution. By switching to solar-powered electricity generation, we can acquire clean energy and lessen the demand for power plants that emit harmful air pollutants.
4. Solar Energy Conserves Finite Natural Resources
Natural resources like coal, natural gas, and oil are limited in supply. Transitioning to solar power, we can reduce costs, and lessen reliance on these limited resources.
5. Solar Energy Helps Solve Climate Change
Burning fossil fuels has several negative repercussions, one of which is climate change. With solar energy, we can generate clean electricity while halting climate change, thereby reducing global warming.
Also Read: Is Solar Worth It in Colorado?
Negative Impacts
To find out how solar energy negatively impacts the environment, let’s take a look below at its drawbacks:
1. Use of Toxic Chemicals and Materials
To clean the semiconductors during the production of solar panels, hazardous chemicals, and materials are used. Hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen fluoride, and other substances are a few of these compounds.
Moreover, solar panel makers run the risk of breathing silicon dust, endangering the public’s health in addition to releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
2. High Utility of Energy
Manufacturers must use a lot of energy from conventional fuels like gas, coal, and other fossil fuels to run these operations on a big scale, which increases the carbon footprint of solar cells and releases damaging greenhouse gases.
For a better understanding, let’s see How Much Energy to Make a Solar Panel?
3. Loss of Habitat
Large tracts of land are cleared of all vegetation before solar companies install large-scale energy systems there. This may ultimately destroy the habitat for wildlife. Additionally, erosion and soil compaction may be brought on by the building of solar plants.
Installing solar panel systems on a pre-existing infrastructure, such as parking lots, commercial buildings, brownfields, etc., can help mitigate the loss of wildlife habitat.
4. Reason for Water, Air, and Soil Pollution
Solar energy can cause air, water, and soil pollution in the following ways.
- Panel production, installation, and transportation all contribute significantly to carbon emissions.
- As we previously indicated, building a solar power plant necessitates clearing a sizable area of land, which causes soil erosion.
- Additionally, inappropriate chemical disposal can result in soil, water, and air contamination.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Solar Energy?
After learning how solar energy impacts the environment, let’s check out its long-term benefits:
1. Cost Efficient: Utilizing solar power for free means lower or non-existent utility costs. Moreover, incentives are offered by the government to homes that choose to employ renewable energy sources.
2. Secure Investment: Owners of domestic solar systems can produce free, sustainable electricity using solar panels. By investing in a PV system, you may therefore use sunlight, which is available in plenty and is also free for everyone.
3. Increases Home Value: Solar panels are an upgrade, much like house remodeling. It raises the property value as buyers are vicariously seeking homes with PV installations.
4. Reduces Carbon Footprint: Among all energy sources, solar energy has the least detrimental effects on the environment. Additionally, it does not damage water resources or release greenhouse gases.
5. Low Maintenance Cost: Installation of solar panels for a home requires minimal maintenance. Monitoring difficulties, cable maintenance, panel cleaning, etc. are a few examples of these costs. Moreover, most brands offer 25-30 years of solar panel warranty.
6. Multiple Applications of Solar Power: When it comes to producing electricity, the solar system’s batteries store energy that is captured throughout the day and provide power all day long. Another common appliance is a solar water heater, which is used in residential homes to heat water.
Cross-reference: Creative Applications of Solar Energy
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
The typical lifespan of solar panels is between 25 and 30 years. However, this does not imply that they cease to produce power after 25 years; it merely indicates that energy production has decreased to a certain extent. Moreover, they seldom break internally and are only harmed by external factors like inadequate racking or bad weather.
Note that the degradation rate is 0.5-3% depending on the brand and the prevailing climate conditions. However, as solar panel technology advances over time, degradation rates are steadily decreasing.
Ultimately, we have covered both the positive and negative impacts of solar energy. It is cost-effective and reduces CO2 emissions that harm the environment. However, before making any decision, you must consider the carbon footprint of solar cells and the emission of greenhouse gases.
Recommended: Solar Panel Energy Efficiency and Degradation Over Time
