Carbon and solar power

Pollution is a global problem that is likely to get worse before it improves. The constant ignition of fossil fuels is a menace on earth. Thousands of premature deaths have occurred due to respiratory illnesses. Policymakers have often been unmoved by the problem so activists have worked hard to communicate the facts to a sometimes apathetic populace. Despite the foot-dragging, solar power has become the most important source of energy on our planet. Fossil fuels are nearly used up and the next century will not see the sort of carbon emissions that has fouled the earth in the previous centuries.  However, it has only been a few decades since we learned how to utilize the sun directly for energy (electricity). Solar technologies subsequently took large strides in efficiency making them useful for homes and businesses.

Solar power helps solve the fossil fuel problem

Currently, due to education about the overall ramifications of pollution, people are seeking out energy sources that are renewable, clean, and safe. Renewable energy serves as an alternative to fossil fuels that are damaging our environment and health. However solar technology is not totally free from negative environmental impacts. In general, solar energy technologies fall into two broad categories:  Solar thermal systems and  Photovoltaic power generation. Both are superior environmentally compared to their conventional predecessor. 

Utility-scale solar operations

There are land use and ecological impacts with utility-scale solar energy facilities. These systems require large areas for collection of energy. Consequently, the facilities may interfere with existing land uses and can affect areas such as wilderness or recreational management ranges. As energy systems may impact land through materials exploration, extraction, manufacturing, and disposal, energy footprints rise. The construction of solar facilities on vast areas of land necessitates clearing and grading, causing soil compaction, alteration of drainage channels, and erosion. Central tower systems require large quantities of water for cooling, which is a problem in dry settings, because an increase in water demand may strain water resources as well as chemical spills from the facilities which may result in the contamination of groundwater. The development of any large-scale industrial facility can produce contamination of air and water quality. Some of these threats include the release of soil-carried pathogens and contamination of water reservoirs. 

Hot water from solar thermal

Solar thermal systems are a “green” way of providing domestic hot water. These systems are experiencing a rapid growth since the last decade. This is a robust, efficient and simple technology to implement for individual households. Businesses would be wise to incorporate this technology. I was using solar hot water way back in the early 1980’s

There has never been a better time to install a solar energy system!

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.