The Environmental Benefits of Solar Power
Reducing Air Pollution
Traditional sources of electricity, such as coal and oil, emit byproducts such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxides, particulate dust and mercury. Each of these byproducts is associated with known environmental challenges, including global climate change, acid rains, smog and contaminated fisheries, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Solar panels can reduce this pollution by lowering the energy needs of every dwelling they power. Even if solar panels are only used to power household lighting, if applied across a number of homes, solar panels could lead to a significant decrease in the emission of dangerous byproducts. [9]
Traditional sources of electricity, such as coal and oil, emit byproducts such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxides, particulate dust and mercury. Each of these byproducts is associated with known environmental challenges, including global climate change, acid rains, smog and contaminated fisheries, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Solar panels can reduce this pollution by lowering the energy needs of every dwelling they power. Even if solar panels are only used to power household lighting, if applied across a number of homes, solar panels could lead to a significant decrease in the emission of dangerous byproducts. [9]
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Reducing Water Pollution
Coal and nuclear power sources also create environmental challenges along waterways. An estimated 72% of all toxic water pollution in the U.S. is derived from coal-based electricity production, which releases arsenic, selenium, boron, cadmium and mercury into waterways. A good deal of this pollution can be prevented by requiring new technological filtration, but only one out of five coal-based power plants in the U.S. uses such technology, according to The Sierra Club environmental organization. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also reports that a nuclear isotope know as tritium is commonly released into groundwater supplies by nuclear power plants in addition to large amounts of warm and low-oxygenated water that get released back into local rivers. By reducing the need for power from such plants, solar panels can help reduce the continuation of these environmental contaminates. [10]
Coal and nuclear power sources also create environmental challenges along waterways. An estimated 72% of all toxic water pollution in the U.S. is derived from coal-based electricity production, which releases arsenic, selenium, boron, cadmium and mercury into waterways. A good deal of this pollution can be prevented by requiring new technological filtration, but only one out of five coal-based power plants in the U.S. uses such technology, according to The Sierra Club environmental organization. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also reports that a nuclear isotope know as tritium is commonly released into groundwater supplies by nuclear power plants in addition to large amounts of warm and low-oxygenated water that get released back into local rivers. By reducing the need for power from such plants, solar panels can help reduce the continuation of these environmental contaminates. [10]
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Reducing Hazardous Waste
The process of burning in coal- and oil-based power production leads to the creation of byproducts such as coal ash and oil sludge, which contain dangerous amounts of metals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Much of this waste is taken to landfills or hazardous waste disposal sites where it is stored for many decades, but an estimated 42% of coal plant waste ponds and landfills where this waste is disposed do not have a protective lining to prevent waste leaching into the environment, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Solar panels help reduce this waste by lowering the amount of energy these coal- and oil-based energy plants need to produce. [10]
Nuclear Waste
Nuclear energy is one alternative to burning fossil fuels, and some consider it to be a "green energy" source, along with solar. However, nuclear waste is produced as a by-product, which is dangerous and must be safely stored somewhere for very long periods of time. The benefit of generating energy using solar technologies is that no waste products are produced.
Solar Reduces the Need for More Fossil Fuel Power Plants. As the demand for electricity increases, more power plants will need to be built, which can have a negative environmental impact. As more energy is produced by solar systems, the need for more fossil fuel power plants will be reduced. [10]
Solar Reduces Battery Needs
Getting electricity to some remote areas is difficult. Batteries are often used to power remote equipment used for environment and security monitoring, and to power communication devices, including "help" call boxes along stretches of highways. Solar photovoltaic cells can easily provide power to these remote devices, eliminating the need for batteries. Batteries also pose an environmental disposal problem, since chemicals from them can leach into the soil and water, causing contamination. [11]
The process of burning in coal- and oil-based power production leads to the creation of byproducts such as coal ash and oil sludge, which contain dangerous amounts of metals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Much of this waste is taken to landfills or hazardous waste disposal sites where it is stored for many decades, but an estimated 42% of coal plant waste ponds and landfills where this waste is disposed do not have a protective lining to prevent waste leaching into the environment, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Solar panels help reduce this waste by lowering the amount of energy these coal- and oil-based energy plants need to produce. [10]
Nuclear Waste
Nuclear energy is one alternative to burning fossil fuels, and some consider it to be a "green energy" source, along with solar. However, nuclear waste is produced as a by-product, which is dangerous and must be safely stored somewhere for very long periods of time. The benefit of generating energy using solar technologies is that no waste products are produced.
Solar Reduces the Need for More Fossil Fuel Power Plants. As the demand for electricity increases, more power plants will need to be built, which can have a negative environmental impact. As more energy is produced by solar systems, the need for more fossil fuel power plants will be reduced. [10]
Solar Reduces Battery Needs
Getting electricity to some remote areas is difficult. Batteries are often used to power remote equipment used for environment and security monitoring, and to power communication devices, including "help" call boxes along stretches of highways. Solar photovoltaic cells can easily provide power to these remote devices, eliminating the need for batteries. Batteries also pose an environmental disposal problem, since chemicals from them can leach into the soil and water, causing contamination. [11]
Reducing Resource Mining
Some of the most profound environmental challenges associated with coal-based power plants occur before power is even produced, when the coal is mined. An estimated 60% of coal mined in the United States comes from surface mining, which is a process that removes the entire top of a mountain in order to mine the coal below. Through this practice more than 300,000 acres of forest and 1,000 miles of streams have been destroyed, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Even more energy is spent transporting the mined coal to power plants that burn the coal to produce electricity. Solar panels can help reduce the need for coal-based energy, which in turn will lower the demand for surface-mined coal. [11] Unlimited Resource Coal, natural gas and oil are limited resources, which we are using up at an incredible rate. Developing countries are now adding to the demand for these fuels. Also, oil is used in many ways other than producing energy, such as in the manufacturing of plastic products, thus using oil reserves even faster. Solar energy from the sun is unlimited. [11] |