In this complicated world, it’s not always enough to do something good. You need to do something impactful.
The question is no longer, “Are solar panels good for climate change?” You need to know whether solar panels help global warming more than other eco-friendly options, such as wind power or electric cars. Of all the things that you could be spending your limited money on, is solar energy the best way to protect our planet?
It’s time to dig into how much solar panels help the environment, how solar energy impacts the health and well-being of humanity, and how solar compares to other green energy alternatives.
Solar Energy and the Environment
Global energy usage has exploded in recent years. We now consume as much energy in a single year as our great-grandparents did in an entire decade.
That growth is not slowing down, and it’s producing environmental impacts that are not sustainable. Over 60 percent of U.S. electricity generation still comes from fossil fuels, which means greenhouse gasses and other air and water pollutants are growing almost as fast as the country’s power consumption. Solar energy is only getting more popular as more consumers see the benefits of solar and have their solar power questions and concerns answered.
Renewable energy sources promise a cleaner solution to our energy needs. Solar, geothermal, wind, and renewable sources are plentiful and produce only a fraction of the pollution of fossil fuels.
Solar is one of the most underutilized of all renewable energy sources. The solar energy that hits the earth in a single hour is enough to power the entire world for a full year.
Solar Energy’s Impact
Decreased Greenhouse Gas Emissions
For every kilowatt-hour of energy generated, coal-burning plants produce 1.4–3.6 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2). Natural gas is slightly better, producing 0.6–2.0 pounds of CO2 per kilowatt-hour.
Solar panels don’t produce any CO2 while generating electricity. However, some CO2 is created during the manufacturing process for the panels. Taking all of that into account, solar energy production requires about 0.07–0.18 pounds of CO2 per kilowatt-hour. That’s roughly five percent of the CO2 that coal plants produce.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that achieving their SunShot goals for solar production could prevent over $250 billion of climate change damages. These goals require that solar meets 14 percent of America’s electricity demand by 2030 and 27 percent by 2050.
Improved Air Quality
Fossil fuels produce harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter. Switching to a clean power source like solar eliminates would significantly reduce the levels of these pollutants in Earth’s atmosphere, especially in areas around currently active oil, gas, and coal power plants.
Meeting the DOE’s SunShot goals for solar production would reduce air pollution enough to save more than 25,000 lives. And those estimates are from 2016, so they don’t even take into account the impact of air pollution on COVID-19 survival rates. By one estimate, 15 percent of worldwide COVID deaths may be linked to chronic air pollution exposure.
Reduced Water Usage
The production of most fuels requires a lot of water. Huge reservoirs are required for cooling in coal, natural gas, and nuclear plants. Even alternative energy sources generally rely on water for cooling, processing, or production.
Solar, on the other hand, requires only minimal amounts of water. You’ll need to clean your solar panels, which takes about 20 gallons of water per megawatt-hour of energy produced. For comparison, a coal plant will use about 1,000 gallons of water to produce that same amount of energy.
Achieving the DOE’s SunShot goals would save enough water to hydrate 1.3 million more households.
How Does Solar Energy Measure Up Against Other Green Choices?
Switching to solar may be one of the best ways to help the environment, but it certainly isn’t the only way. Biomass, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy offer additional ways to produce green energy, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Solar vs. Biomass
Biomass, including wood-burning and biofuel, is the most commonly used renewable energy source in the U.S., producing over three times as much energy as solar does. You are probably most familiar with ethanol, the biomass used in unleaded gasoline.
Most biofuels are used in industrial and transportation applications, with the largest residential usage being wood pellets and firewood used for heat.
Biomass fuels produce significantly more CO2 and pollution than solar. Their total emissions are more similar to natural gas than to solar and other clean renewables. Growing biomass fuels also requires large areas of dedicated land. Solar requires much less land, and advances in solar panel efficiency are further broadening that divide.
Solar vs. Wind
Next to biomass, wind power is the most commonly used renewable energy source in America. Like solar, wind power doesn’t produce much pollution. Wind also requires less land than solar or any other renewable energy source.
Wind power is often better than solar for rural regions, especially in areas with large, open plains or smooth, rounded hills. However, wind turbines are an eyesore, and they require a dedicated area for each turbine.
Solar, meanwhile, can be installed on the rooftops of existing structures. That makes it a much more practical alternative for most suburban and urban regions. If you are already serviced by wind power, then you won’t necessarily help the environment by going solar — though you could save yourself some money with net metering.
Solar vs. Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric power contributes twice as much energy as solar in the U.S. Electricity production from hydroelectric power produces very few emissions, and it is considerably more reliable. After all, water is always running, but the sun isn’t always shining.
While its emissions are low, hydroelectric power does raise some significant environmental concerns. The excavations required to create a hydroelectric dam can change the course of rivers and potentially disrupt local plant and animal species. For this reason, hydroelectric is often classified as renewable but not green.
Hydroelectric is generally used on a large scale. Unless you have water actively flowing through your property, you likely can’t take advantage of hydroelectric generators for your personal use.
If the energy company that services your residence uses hydroelectric power, that will lessen the environmental impact of going solar. However, you’ll still make an impact, because solar power produces even fewer emissions than hydroelectric power does.
Solar vs. Geothermal
Geothermal is the least common renewable energy source in America. Like solar, it produces no significant emissions. It does require a significant amount of land usage, though, and the digging and installation are more expensive than solar.
Residential geothermal setups aren’t designed to replace all electricity usage. Instead, they primarily augment your heating and cooling systems.
Geothermal and solar setups can be used together on a single home. However, geothermal is one of the most expensive renewable sources to set up for your home, so getting both systems involves a lot of upfront costs. In most cases, solar is more practical if you are in a location where it is an option.
Residential Solar vs. Electric Cars
Electric cars aren’t an alternative source of renewable energy for your home, but they are another investment you can make to reduce your carbon footprint.
Purchasing both residential solar and an electric car is a great way to be more environmentally friendly. Without solar, your electric car is only as green as the energy source you use to charge it. With solar, you can guarantee that your car is being charged with clean, renewable energy.
But both solar panels and electric cars are expensive purchases. If you can only afford one for now, which should you buy first?
The answer depends on where you live. If you’re in a country like Norway or New Zealand with a high percentage of energy from renewables, an electric car will have a bigger impact on your carbon footprint. However, in fossil-fuel-heavy countries like the United States, your solar panels will likely do more for the environment than your electric car. That’s because charging your car takes energy, and — depending on your power company and its practices — that energy may very well be created in very dirty ways. Electric vehicles may not create emissions while they run, but they can contribute to environmental problems as they charge.
A Greener Life Is in Reach
Getting started with solar is a great way to join the fight against climate change and pollution. It’s also good for your wallet as solar systems easily pay for themselves over their 25- to 30-year lifespans.
How often can one decision help you, the health of your fellow humans, and the planet all at once? If you’re looking for an easy way to help the environment, now is the time to get solar.