Ecological responsibility and solar

This summer there have been numerous reports of climate-related weather events that are making it ever more clear that global warming is here now. News reports of multiple fatalities due to overheating are becoming more common every day. Japan reports the highest temperatures since record keeping began. Heat waves in Canada and Europe have claimed the lives of many vulnerable people. It is typically the very young and very old who are most defenseless against the extreme heat. The current heat waves are just one of the many reasons we are becoming more aware of climate change. Mankind must decide to adopt alternative energy sources before the option is no longer actionable. There are many reasons to install a solar energy system in your home. Responsible home and business owners install solar not just for its financial benefits, but because it’s the right thing to do for the planet and all its inhabitants. Switching to solar power improves local and global environmental conditions in many ways.

Here are some environmental advantages of solar energy

Solar produces energy without emissions. Many bodies of water contain enough mercury to cause safety concerns. The primary source of mercury pollution is coal-fired power plants. Solar panels don’t produce emissions of any kind.

Solar energy generation produces no acid rain. Fossil fuels contain small quantities of sulfur. When burned, these can travel long distances before reacting in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid. This harms forests, cropland, lakes, and rivers. Solar panels have no emissions and don’t contribute to this issue.

Solar generates no smog. Coal burning power plants emit gases that lead to the formation of extremely unhealthy smog. No emissions mean our air and water are cleaner.

Solar also means no local airborne particulates. Because solar panels generate power without burning anything, they do not release harmful particulates into the atmosphere.

Solar means reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturing and transporting anything creates emissions. Solar panels are one of the few products that mitigate their own impact. Studies have shown that at least 89 percent of harmful emissions from electricity generation are eliminated by changing from fossil fuels to solar.

Solar produces no thermal pollution. Many conventional power plants are cooled by water from nearby bodies of water. When this heated water is returned to the original source, it can raise the temperature of the water enough to disrupt sensitive aquatic ecosystems.

Solar generates no radioactive waste. Some claim that nuclear power is “clean energy” since its operation does not result in carbon emissions. However, it generates extremely hazardous radioactive nuclear waste that stays toxic for millennia. In truth, nuclear is the most dangerous way to boil water that anyone has yet developed and all nuclear plants on the planet should be immediately decommissioned. Look no further than the terrible situation at Fukushima, Japan for a painful lesson in how not to manage and operate a nuclear power facility.

Solar energy has a minimal impact on the landscape. Unlike power plants, solar panels can be installed unobtrusively on already existing structures.

Solar is also safe for wildlife. Because solar panels have no moving parts and no emissions, they pose no harm to birds or other wildlife.

Solar reduces the need for additional fossil fuel power plants.  Demand for electricity is predicted to continue to rise through 2040 and beyond. The more power generated locally by solar panels, the fewer new fossil fuel-based plants will need to be constructed.

Now is the time to install a solar energy system!

For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles

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