Many people are familiar with solar power’s status in the “green energy” category. But, they don’t know much about the specific benefits to public health and the environment solar power offers. These benefits are much greater than you might imagine.
What does solar power do to greenhouse gas emissions? What does this mean for the ground and water supply? What can you do to improve your health?
These questions will help you find new energy sources that benefit your community and the environment. This is your quick guide.
CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS
The atmospheric carbon dioxide has a significant impact on climate change. It is absorbed into the atmosphere, stays there for many decades, and then radiates heat towards the earth, warming the planet continuously.
Climate change can have many negative impacts on public health. It makes it easier to spread infectious diseases, increases droughts and famines, and worsens natural catastrophes. These threats can be reduced by switching to sun energy.
Solar panels generate electricity, which reduces air pollution. They don’t need to burn carbon dioxide for power.
Renewable Energy Sources will eventually displace non-renewable carbon dioxide-burning sources, thus preventing the use and production of oil and coal that emit heavy greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
METHANE EMISSIONS
Many people are familiar with carbon dioxide and the relationship it has to climate change. Methane is less well-known.
Methane is more stable in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. However, it traps more heat or radiation. 25x more than that of carbon dioxide, pound-for-pound.
The atmosphere is flooded with methane from the burning of petroleum and natural gas. No methane is required for solar energy source transmission or use. The more solar energy you use, the less natural and petroleum gas you use and the less methane that you produce.
GROUND POLLUTION
Ground can be damaged by non-renewable energy sources in many ways. Oil can often seep into the soil and cause damage to animals and plants. Fracking for natural gas also damages habitats and other layers of the earth.
Although nuclear power does not contribute to the increase in carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere, radioactive materials from nuclear power plants can cause groundwater pollution. They can make areas unhospitable or cause radiation poisoning.
Ground pollution is not caused by solar panels. Any rain that ashes solar panels off will not attract their materials into the ground.
Solar panels can contain dangerous materials and lead. However, the average life span of solar panels in is 25years so they are not dangerous. If your panels start to deteriorate, you can recycle them.
A solar panel placed over your yard will block sunlight and water from reaching the grass below. Place your panels where they will not hinder plant growth. You can give your plants a little more water if they grow under the panels.
AIR POLLUTION
According to the World Health Organization, 4.2 million people are prematurely affected by outdoor air pollution each year. The burning of oil, which is rich in harmful chemicals and can cause cancer, is a major source of air pollution.
Because coal contains chemicals like sulphur dioxide, it can cause lung damage if inhaled. When they reach your bloodstream, coal particulates can cause damage to your organs.
Eyes can also be affected by air pollutants. They can cause vision damage, both short-term and long-term. Solar panels are not known to pollute the atmosphere. Even in extreme situations, even if there is a fire, the materials inside them don’t get released into the atmosphere.
TRANSMISSION & STORAGE
Urban planners often place power plants close to residential areas. However, even those that are located near homes are often far from their intended locations.
Planners set up transmission lines to transmit electricity around the town. Some electricity is lost in transmission, so the power plant must burn more fuel to compensate.
Solar panels don’t need long transmission lines and can generate as much power as you require.
Any excess energy can be transferred to batteries, and used for power outage situations. You can also tap into the stored battery power during night-time when your solar panels don’t work. This will allow you to avoid burning fossil fuels, and reduce your carbon footprint.
WATER USE
Another renewable energy source is hydropower. It doesn’t pollute or emit carbon dioxide. It is dependent on rivers and other natural water bodies, which can damage ecosystems and restrict water access for people.
Solar panels have no effect on water consumption. Your panels may not require water to clean because rain can wash away dirt, dust and other debris.