How Solar Energy Affects The Environment

Homeowners and businesses are choosing to switch to solar energy at a faster rate than ever before in the United States. Experts attribute this to the cost of solar panels lowering and general awareness of climate change and a desire to protect the environment increasing.

Have questions about going solar? We’re here to help!

Improving Respiratory And Cardiovascular Health

Did you know that one of the biggest benefits of solar energy systems is that they release very few pollutants into the environment? 

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), installing solar panels can reduce nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter emissions that can damage the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of both humans and animals.

Minimal Land Impact

While some large-scale solar energy systems can use acres of land, most do not. Farmers and agricultural businesses are beginning to use solar panels to produce electricity for their businesses and install panels that share the land with agricultural use.

Common, smaller-scale residential solar energy systems are typically mounted on the roof of a home or building, having minimal impact on the land.

Reduced Dependence On Fossil Fuels

In addition to reducing your monthly utility bills, using a solar energy system instead of fossil fuels like coal and oil can help slow dangerous climate change.

Fossil fuel-based energy contains the risk of oil spills that devastate ecosystems as well as release toxic gas into the atmosphere when they are processed at power plants. Fossil fuels accounted for 79% of total energy consumption in the United States (as of 2020).

Imagine what a difference it could make for our environment if more of us used solar energy instead. Solar energy is a renewable resource, unlike fossil fuel, so there’s no risk of not having enough energy to power our homes and businesses.

Conserve Water

Traditional energy sources like natural gas and coal have to use large quantities of water to produce electricity. That’s also the case for nuclear power, while considered a “clean” energy source, it uses the same amount of water as coal to produce electricity.

Most of the water used in power plants is eventually returned to the earth, some of it always evaporates or becomes polluted. This puts more areas at risk for droughts and low water reserves. There is also a risk for toxins to leach into water sources, negatively affecting the environment.

Solar energy can significantly reduce the amount of water used to process and produce electricity. Experts estimate that solar panel technology consumes 2-15% of the amount of water that coal and nuclear power plants use. 

No fuel source is perfect, but some are much better than others, as is the case with solar energy.

Advanced Solar Is Here To Help

Have questions about how switching to solar energy works and how it can save you money on your utility bill while also combating climate change?

We’re here to answer your questions and help you find the best solution for your home or business.