There is an increasing demand for energy to facilitate social and economic growth. The power also helps in improving welfare and health. All countries need the energy to meet basic human needs: cooking, lighting, mobility, communication, and space comfort. For this reason, the use of fossil fuels to meet this need has increased, leading to carbon emissions. The use of solar energy can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
There are a lot of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions during the production of energy. Historically, it has led to the accumulation of GHG in the atmosphere. According to recent data, fossil fuels contribute significantly to these emissions. We are going to look at how solar energy can help combat this challenge.
Solar Energy Contribution to Combating Climate Change
Solar Energy and Climate Change
Wherever you look, you can see the effects of climate change. The changes include rising sea levels, warming oceans, rising global temperature, and many others. By reducing carbon emissions, the world can address this issue. Solar energy helps fight climate change in the following ways:
Solar Energy Generation
The method of harvesting solar energy is simple compared to fossil fuels. Also, you can harness it from almost every location. The only requirements are enough space and solar panels. You can erect the panels anywhere, whether on land, carports, rooftops, cars, plans, or even windowpanes. However, for fossils, drilling wells underground is the most common method. For maximum production, chemicals, steam, or gases are injected into the reservoir. Such methods are harmful to the environment and lead to greenhouse gas production, which affects the climate in the long run.
Impact on Climate
After the extraction of fossil fuels, burning happens to produce energy. The process leads to the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 22% of GHG comes from industries, and 28% from energy production. Commercial and residential buildings also contribute to pollution at 11% emission. The transport sector is not left behind as it contributes 28%.
However, solar panels do not release harmful gases to the environment. In the process of transforming light into energy, solar panels have zero emissions. That said, the process of producing the panels in itself is energy-intensive. One reason for this is the need to melt silicon to 1414 degrees Celsius. The furnace used in this process is dependent on fossil fuels. Even after accounting for the manufacturing process, solar panels’ nature of producing nonpolluting energy fully compensates for it.
Reducing Personal and National Carbon Footprint
There is widespread adoption of solar in the US, which has increased the number of people employed in this field more than in the fossil fuel industry. There has been an increase in employment in this field, and the price of solar energy has dramatically reduced. This adoption of solar power has led to a reduction in personal and national carbon footprint, which contributes to the fight against global warming and climate change.
Reducing Dependence on Fossil Fuels
According to National Geographic, carbon dioxide levels are at the highest they have ever been. The lack of balance for such gases affects survival. CO2 levels have spiked to about 414.8 ppm (parts per million) due to human activities that include burning fossils.
Solar power provides an alternative source of energy. Its availability is endless, and once many people adopt it, the emissions of these gases can reduce. If we could harvest the sun’s energy for just an hour, it can power the entire world for about a year.
Fossil fuels are non-renewable; they are running out faster as the world’s demand for energy keeps increasing. Using solar energy can help conserve these resources while helping to fight climate change.
How Impactful is a Solar panel in Avoiding carbon Dioxide Emissions?
If you are still skeptical about the amount of carbon dioxide solar energy can help avoid, let’s quote some figures for you. According to National Renewable Energy Laboratory, when you produce about 1000 kWh of electricity using solar panels, you reduce emissions by more than 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide. Other gases include 8 pounds of sulfur dioxide and 5 pounds of nitrogen oxides.
A solar panel with a projected 28 years of operation would significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 100 tons.
Another interesting fact is that the US solar industry has reduced emissions whose carbon dioxide storage is about 2 billion trees. Fossil fuel mining includes felling down trees, piling on to the ongoing deforestation and climate change issue.
Solar panels installation is on existing buildings or empty lots where community solar plants are put up. Also, the community solar systems are impactful in alleviating climate change. They give people a chance to access solar power conveniently, thus reducing their carbon footprint.
Action Point
Climate change is a complex problem that requires input from all sectors and all of us. Its causes are diverse, and there is no one single way to resolve the problem. However, even as studies continue into the issue, it is clear to say going for renewable sources of energy can reduce the climate change problem.
We have looked at how solar energy affects climate change. The contributions are both meaningful and highly effective. Such contributions include solar energy harnessing, which is friendly to the environment.
Switching to solar energy eases reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. The change has a direct influence on the reduction of emission of harmful gases to the atmosphere. There is a reduction in gas emissions, and the sun’s energy is limitless, unlike fossils. With this information, it is factual to state that solar not only offers cheap power, but it also changes the world.
Get in touch with us and join the course to save the environment for future generations. Through solar installation, you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by tons in a year. You can go solar before the year ends to benefit from the government investment tax credit and cut on the installation cost.
