“We need every single person in the world to address climate change at a personal level,” she said.
Currently, the solar energy produced in the United States can power almost 19 million homes, with the market growth rate averaging 42% every year. (3) This growth is deeply impactful in preserving and protecting our planet. Since solar has become more affordable and obtainable than ever before, it’s essential for homeowners to consider the environmental impact of going solar.
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
One of the main downfalls of our current energy structure is the consistent outflow of harmful emissions. In the United States, the electricity sector is the second largest contributor of greenhouse gas (4). Targeting this sector can largely help negate the effects of rising temperatures and therefore help ensure a sustainable future for the human race. Integrating solar technology and transitioning away from traditional sources has the opportunity to reduce these effects. The two primary sources of electricity in the U.S. are coal and natural gas (5). Their combustion generates toxic byproducts that have been linked to climate change, smog, acid rain, and respiratory illnesses (6).
On the other hand, solar technologies capture energy from the sun, an infinite resource, transforming it into a usable form, forgoing the harmful outputs (7). The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) harmonized life cycle assessment evaluated the cradle-to-grave emissions of several electricity sources. The study showed that solar photovoltaics and concentrated solar power offer significantly lower emissions over their lifetime than oil, natural gas, and coal (8). Thus, taking advantage of solar technologies provides a fundamental step in reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption.
Increased Human Health and Safety
In addition to the environmental benefits, reducing emissions through solar can help increase human health and safety. Burning fossil fuels releases substantial amounts of harmful byproducts, including “particulate matter (PM), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and other hazardous air pollutants” (9). These off puts have been linked to health phenomena such as reduced lung function, asthma, cardiovascular disease, preterm birth, and premature death, with children and elderly being specifically susceptible (9). Because solar photovoltaics forgo the combustion process and gather energy directly from the sun, the generation process is entirely pollution-free. Integrating more solar to meet the rising energy demand can help avoid the harmful health effects traditional energy sources cause. Therefore, integrating solar into the grid and sparking the transition away from fossil fuels can substantially reduce pollution and, in turn, increase human health and safety.
Reduction of Water Consumption
In addition to reducing air pollution, integrating solar technologies also provides the opportunity to reduce water consumption, an often-overlooked benefit. According to NREL, “Eighty-nine percent of electricity in the United States is produced with thermally driven water-cooled energy conversion cycles” (10). Essentially, coal and natural gas are burned, then the heat is used to boil water into steam, which powers turbines and generates electrical energy (11). The steam can be reused, but only after cooling. The most common cooling method involves a constant freshwater intake (12). Solar photovoltaics don’t rely on steam turbines to generate electricity, and therefore don’t require any water for the generation process. According to a report published by the River Network, solar photovoltaics use 0.39% of the water used in coal generation and 1.34% of the water used for natural gas generation (13). With water availability concerns becoming more prominent, it is essential to contemplate usage. Solar photovoltaics can substantially conserve water resources and be a powerful tool in addressing sustainable development.
Compatible with Land Uses/Increase Land Value
Another benefit to photovoltaic solar systems is that they can be cohesive to multiple land uses. As populations increase and land demand rise, it is vital to acknowledge the different added values from various types of land employment. Solar is unique because it can adapt to different land needs, increasing land productivity and even improving various agriculture outcomes. Agrovoltaics, the use of solar and agriculture in tandem, is a budding field of study that shows immense promise. For example, a study by (NREL) observed solar panels’ effect on crop production. When placed underneath the panels, crop output was similar, if not higher, than the control (14). In addition to crops, solar panels and sheep pastures have been cohesive (15). Utilizing the land under and around solar panels for agriculture increases the land value as it’s used for multiple purposes. Furthermore, low-impact solar has an opportunity to improve native vegetation, foster a sustainable environment for pollinators, and improve topsoil health (16).
Conclusion- Even One Home Going Solar Makes a Difference
Even one 7 kWh home solar system can offset enough carbon emissions to equal:
Homeowners can feel proud of this significant contribution toward countering climate change. One home, one neighborhood, one community at a time can quickly create an exponential impact on our environment.
