The Environmental Benefits of Installing a Solar Power System
Solar Power Energy from Photovoltaics is Ecologically Sound
Solar power energy is good for our environment. In the search for energy technologies that are not destructive to our environment, solar power energy from photovoltaic (PV) panels is one of the most benign. Here are some of the solar energy benefits that make it an environmentally sound energy choice.
- Solar power PV energy is clean energy - The process by which PV cells convert sunlight into electricity is completely passive. There are no moving parts to create noise, or that require lubricants, and there is no combustion of any kind to pollute our atmosphere with harmful by-products.
The United Nations estimates that more than 2 million villages worldwide are without electrical power for water supply, refrigeration, lighting, and other basic needs, and that the cost of extending the utility grid is prohibitive.
A one kilowatt PV system:
Prevents 150 lbs. of coal from being mined each month
Prevents 300 lbs. of CO2 per month from entering the atmosphere
Keeps 105 gallons of water per month from being consumed
Solar power and solar cookers help prevent deforestation in desert and mountain areas where trees are cut down for heating and cooking.
- The hardware is durable, reducing waste - The solar panels that make up the main hardware component, are composed primarily of silicon, the primary ingredient in glass. Just as glass is durable, solar panels can withstand extreme exposure to the weather with life expectancy of 25 to 40+ years before needing replacement. Maintenance is minimal. They don't need to be painted, polished, or treated with harmful chemicals. If needed, simply washing with ordinary soap and water will do. Furthermore, many PV panel companies are beginning to offer take-back programs to enable you to recycle your old panels when they finally do wear out.
- Solar power PV systems reduce the need for power lines - Off-grid solar power systems can be located anywhere so there is no need to run power lines across pristine wilderness, sensitive environments, or your scenic view.
- Solar PV systems take up very little space - Small home and business systems most commonly are roof mounted making no increase to the structure's footprint on the earth.
- Reduces fossil-fuel emissions - Most of this nation's power companies obtain their electricity from suppliers who produce it with fossil fuels. According to the Electric Power Annual report for 2007, coal accounted for 48.5% of our electricity, and natural gas accounted for 21.6%.[1] So, by using solar power for your energy needs, you're replacing power that would have been produced in large part by burning fossil fuels.
The US produces 4,000,000,000,000 Kw Kilowatt Hours of Electricity each year. Less than 2% of that is solar energy. The solar energy that strikes the surface of the Earth in 8 minutes is more than the world uses in a year. In two seconds, the sun releases enough energy to fuel 1,000,000 cars for a year. [2]
1. Electric Power Annual with data for 2007, Energy Information Administration, January 21, 2009
2. Solar Energy and the Environment, Squidoo.com, December 2, 2009