Can using solar power change the earth?

In this era, when researchers and scientists are frantically trying to slow the horrors of global warming, solar power offers an immediate solution. Solar energy provides an affordable way for environmentally conscious homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint. By using solar power in your home, you can help the world reduce greenhouse gases, cause less pollution, use less of the world’s finite resources and leave a better world for future generations.

Solar energy lowers emissions

The most obvious environmental benefit of solar power is the reduction in harmful emissions. One of the most pressing issues of our day is the high emission of greenhouse gases. These gases have been directly linked to global warming and climate change. Carbon dioxide is the most common of these gases, although they also include nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide. Solar power helps you lower these emissions without any substantial change of lifestyle. Data collected by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that electricity-generating power plants are the largest industrial source of air pollution in the United States. This is because the power plants need to burn either natural gas or coal in order to produce electricity. Solar panels generate electricity with no emissions whatsoever. Solar panels today are completely self-contained units that convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. There is no need for harmful outside resources. This means that for every kWh of electricity, we are releasing up to 3.6 pounds of CO2 into the air. Power plants that run on natural gas emit 0.6 to 2 pounds of CO2E/kWh. Solar power, including the manufacturing of panels and everything else, emits only 0.07 to 0.2 pounds of CO2E/kWh. It is estimated that one solar-powered home will avoid the emission of about 170,000 to 200,000 pounds of CO2 over a 25-year lifespan. However, if the United States could get 25 percent of its electricity from solar power, we could lower CO2 emissions by 277 million metric tons each year. That is an impact that cannot be ignored.

To learn more about how solar see our blog

Power plants pollute the earth in other ways that can be negated by solar power. The burning of fossil fuels pollutes waterways, which carry the pollution to many plants and animals. In addition, many of the most devastating environmental disasters of our day have been caused by harvesting fossil fuels. There have been multiple oil spills in the world’s oceans and even coal ash spills in the mountains. The nuclear industry is not immune to toxic pollutants. The Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 was a wake-up call for those few who believed nuclear power is a safe or clean form of energy.

Solar uses a plentiful, renewable resource

Solar power is extremely attractive because it utilizes an infinite resource: the sun. Traditional power plants rely on natural gas and coal. These are resources that must be searched for, drilled for and used up. Once a quantity of coal is used, it is gone forever and it’s never clear how much is left in the earth. Untold numbers of people have died in the mining of this dangerous substance. The sun, by way of contrast, creates more sunlight than we could ever use. When using solar panels, you don’t need to worry about whether future generations will have the resources they need for electricity nor do you need to worry about how it will affect our quality of life on earth at the current time. Thousands of home and business owners around the world have stepped forward to reduce greenhouse emissions, pollution, and resource overuse. They are helping create a better world for the future and serving as an example to the next generation.

The solar revolution is here! To reduce your carbon footprint, contact us for further information!

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area