The shift to solar energy

Thoughtful people the world over are investigating what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Even climate scientists are shocked at the speed of the Arctic ice melt and the associated sea level rise is a huge concern for coastal cities around the world. Global warming is perhaps the most critical problem the world faces today. The alarmingly brisk pace of climate change events makes the selection of renewable energy of greatest concern. Solar energy generation is simply the most effective long-term solution to greenhouse gas emissions and the worrisome warming of the world. Other renewable energy sources are less promising, but technological advancements ensure better environmental balance in the future.

Solar and wind making fossil fuels antiquated

Rooftop solar panels are a tremendous aid to our clean energy future. Currently, to beat clean air objectives, we will need to install a lot more solar power systems on many more rooftops and we need to do it fast.  But larger solar installations are going to grow gradually more important in the future. Manufacturing solar, wind or nuclear plants produce insignificant emissions related to fossil fuels, a new study suggests. This remained true after examining emissions during manufacture and construction.

“There was a concern that it is a lot harder than suggested by energy scenario models to achieve climate targets, because of the energy required to produce wind turbines and solar panels and associated emissions,” explains project leader Dr Gunnar Luderer, who is an energy system analyst at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research (PIK).

Luderer tells Carbon Brief: “The most important finding [of our research] was that the expansion of wind and solar power…comes with life-cycle emissions that are much smaller than the remaining emissions from existing fossil power plants before they can finally be decommissioned.”

Carbon emissions and the solar power revolution

Some people consider that nuclear, wind or solar power have a secret carbon footprint, due to their manufacture and construction. This large “carbon debt”, and the related burden of energy, must be paid off if they are to reduce emissions over their existence. Nuclear plants produce large volumes of very toxic waste that must be disposed of and there are no safe ways to control this toxic waste. Ask the Japanese how they feel about nuclear energy after the accidents at Fukushima. Yes, many Japanese politicians are facing pressure from nuclear and fossil fuel lobbyists to fire up their inoperative nuclear power plants. Wind turbines and nuclear plants need large amounts of steel and concrete. In addition, the centrifuges that divide nuclear fuel also tend to generate a large electricity bill. Still, zero-carbon sources of power are not the only ones to have an indirect carbon and energy footprint. For gas and coal, emanations come from extraction machines and fuel transport. They also develop from methane leaks at pipelines, wellheads or coal mines. These emissions continue, even if coal or gas plants add CCS, which also may not intercept 100% of emissions at the power plant.

Solar is the only reasonable solution

After examining the energy landscape, it is clear that solar power is by far the renewable energy system that is most ready to serve the needs of power-hungry humanity for the foreseeable future. The price of solar panels is still falling and many home and business owners see the wisdom of a solar energy investment. Generating your own energy is a pleasant feeling that is contagious. Be the first on your block to add a solar energy system to your home!

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

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