5 Ways Solar Energy Benefits the Environment

Solar Energy

With Greta Thunberg campaigning environmental causes and governments taking up the issue on significant platforms, ecological degradation and global warming have gained worldwide recognition and have raised concern as well. With the realization of the current problem at hand, many people are trying to change their lifestyle to become more environmentally friendly. However, when it comes to energy, there is only so much that a person can do.

Over the past decade, people are moving towards more environmentally friendly energy sources, and solar energy has proven to be amongst the best ways to do so. Despite the sudden rise in popularity, there are still only a few people who understand the long term benefits that solar energy has to offer and how it works. 

If you're looking for information regarding solar power, you've come to the right place. Here mentioned below is a brief introduction to solar energy and six ways it benefits the environment. In case you want to know more about solar energy in your area, for example, if you live in Illinois, type solar energy in Illinois and you'll get all the necessary information.

What is Solar Energy?

This is the first thing that you should know the answer to. Solar energy is the energy that is harvested from the sun. The sun releases 174 petawatts of radiation on the earth's surface; this amount of energy can benefit the world in numerous ways. Since the power is renewable and clean, it does not require fossil fuel reservoirs to exhaust themselves.

How Does It Work?

The help of photovoltaic equipment generates solar energy. The main component that we all know about is solar panels. They are made up of smaller units known as solar cells. The most common solar cells are made of silicon, a semiconductor that is the second most abundant element on earth. In a solar cell crystal and silicon is sandwiched between conductive layers. Each silicon atom is connected to its neighbour by four strong bonds. A silicon solar cell uses two different layers of silicon, N-type silicon and P-type silicon, they form the P/N junction.

Once, the photons of the sun's light start hitting the layers by gathering the moving electrons by thin metal fingers, the electrons start moving, lighting up a bulb in the process. Each cell produces only half a vault; however, when they are strung together, you can generate more energy.

1. No Greenhouse Emission

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, fossil fuels factories are responsible for 40% of human-made carbon dioxide emissions, and 23% of the nation's nitrogen oxide emissions and 67% of sulphur dioxide emissions. These emissions are responsible for the production of smog and haze. These greenhouse gas emissions are making the world more susceptible to climate change. On the other hand, the emissions from solar energy are negligible as no fossil fuels are used to make solar energy.

2. Contributes to Lesser Health Problems

Since solar power emits no greenhouse gasses, it also results in fewer diseases that can be caused by fossil fuels. Recent research proved that those people living in neighbourhoods which use solar energy are healthier than those who live near fossil fuel industry plants. Using solar energy also decreases the amount of skin-related diseases as the ozone layer gets time to heel in those areas.

3. Renewable Source of Energy

Unlike fossil fuels which are in limited supply, solar energy has been around for ages and isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The fact that we can't run off of this energy source as long as we live makes it not only a viable source of energy but also a reliable one. 

Fossil fuels are already near depletion. After a few hundred years, there will be no fossil fuels to extract if the world energy demands keep increasing at the same rate. Not only will solar energy make sure we have a reliable source of energy, but it will also make sure that the earth's crust stays at a natural condition.

4. Protects the Ozone Layer

Solar energy is also a great way to protect the ozone layer. The ozone layer is the layer of the stratosphere that absorbs the sun's dangerous radiation. If we don't move towards the solar energy and everything goes as it is, we might end up in a world much different than the one that we live in. The UV rays from the sun are not only essential to humans; they are also necessary for plants as well. If harmful rays started making their way to earth, we wouldn't have plants as they would die, would we, and that is if we consider the food problem that may arise.

5. No Hazardous Waste or By-Products

Unlike fossil fuels that release a significant amount of by-products that contaminate the surroundings, solar energy has no by-products. That is why; it is one of the safest ways to generate electricity. Fossil fuels factories dump their waste into nearby areas, which in return renders the land useless. Using solar energy makes it's surrounding healthier as people living in those areas have cleaner air to inhale.

If you've gone through the article mentioned above, you now know the benefits of using solar energy. While it isn't 100% environment-friendly as some gasses may be released into the environment during the production process of the panels. Those emissions are negligible as compared to fossil fuel emissions, not only is it the lesser of two evils; it isn't evil, to begin with.

While it may cost a little more than you expected, there are many different ways to pay for it, and that can make the economic aspect easier to deal with. Another benefit that it may have is that it will affect the rate of your electricity bills within a month of installation and that will make paying your monthly instalments easier.

Apart from that, if you intend on selling your house anytime soon, it will raise the value of your home by a significant per cent. Some realtors say it can increase the price by 2.5%. It will also bring your home to the top of the list as many first-time homebuyers are looking for energy-efficient houses. 


Related Posts

Samsung Galaxy Ring: The Next-Generation Smart Ring

by Vipin Kumar 1 day ago

The Samsung Galaxy Ring is expected to launch in the third quarter of 2024 or by the first quarter of 2025. Its expected price is INR 24 500.

The Best Fitness Trackers And Watches 2024

by Neha Gupta 2 days ago

Among the best fitness trackers and watches, Fitbit Charge 6, Fitbit Inspire 3, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 are a few. Check more details in this post.

iPhone 16 Pro Models Expecting A18 Pro Chipset

by Gopal Tiwari 3 days ago

Apple is all set to launch its iPhone 16 series with a cutting-edge A18 Pro chipset. The company made this decision, seeing the growing demand.

Exynos 2400 Vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

by Shipra Prajapati 7 days ago

Are you a tech enthusiast looking for an Exynos 2400 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3? Stay tuned to the blog for a comprehensive performance comparison.

Learn How To Play Spotify On Google Home Speaker!

by Neha Gupta 8 days ago

If you are looking for how to play Spotify on Google Home speakers, read this blog; it has a detailed yet simple guide to enjoy music anytime.

Key Features Android 15: A Lot To Cover Here

by Vipin Kumar 9 days ago

The all-new Android 15 has just been released and people are wondering what are some key features of the new Android. Read our blog to find out.

menu
menu