Sun power and climate change

Climate scientists have long warned humanity about the dangers of greenhouse emissions. Global warming is becoming more evident every day. All energy sources have some impact on our environment. Fossil fuels do substantially more harm than renewable energy sources. Air and water pollution, damage to public health, wildlife and habitat loss, water use, land use, and global warming emissions are only some of the repercussions associated with fossil fuels. However, renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower also have environmental impacts, some of which are significant. The intensity of environmental impacts varies depending on the specific technology used, the geographic location, and other factors. By understanding the current and potential environmental issues associated with each renewable energy source, we can take steps to effectively avoid or minimize these impacts as they become a larger portion of our electric supply.

Wind and solar power

Harvesting power from the wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate electricity as it produces no toxic pollution or global warming emissions. Wind is also abundant, inexhaustible, and affordable, which makes it a viable and large-scale alternative to fossil fuels.

Despite its considerable potential, there are environmental impacts associated with wind power generation that need to be addressed. Like wind power, the sun provides a tremendous resource for generating clean and sustainable electricity. The environmental impacts associated with solar power are not considered significant. These can include land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing.

Geothermal energy

One of the most widely developed types of geothermal power plants (known as hydrothermal plants) are located near geologic “hot spots” where hot molten rock is near to the earth’s crust and produces hot water. In other regions enhanced geothermal systems which involve drilling into the earth’s surface to reach deeper geothermal resources, can allow broader access to geothermal energy. Geothermal plants also differ in terms of the technology they use to convert the resource to electricity. Environmental impacts of geothermal differ depending on the conversion and cooling technology used.

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

If you want to move into the future and join the solar revolution, or if you want to find out what solar panels are right for you, go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. You can see how much a system will cost, and how much you can save over the next 20 years.

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