Environment

Solar power is one of the most promising sources of energy in the world today. It is renewable, clean, and sustainable. The Earth's surface receives an average of 120 watts per square meter (W/m) of solar radiation. This means that there is enough solar energy in one hour to provide for all human needs for one year. Solar power has been increasing in popularity in recent years, with the cost to install solar panels decreasing by about 50% since 2011. Even though it is still not as popular as other forms of energy, it has come a long way to become the reliable alternative it is today. Let's go over some ways this source could help reduce carbon emissions. How Does Solar Power Work? Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells that convert light into electricity. They produce direct current (DC) power and can be used in homes, buildings, and grids. Electricity is most often generated by burning coal or natural gas to produce steam that drives a turbine. Solar panels generate electricity without any moving parts and produce zero emissions which means they don't harm the environment. How Do Solar Power Impact Carbon Emissions? Solar power is a renewable and clean source of energy. It does not produce any greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to global warming. Many solar panels even generate extra electricity when it is cloudy or at night. Solar power also has low operating and maintenance costs. This means that the cost to use this form of energy can be very low in comparison with other sources like coal which require heavy upkeep and processing. A large part of the world's carbon emissions come from coal-fired plants. These plants emit around 2 pounds of carbon dioxide for every kWh of electricity generated (using average US figures). The EPA estimates that the total U.S. carbon emissions in 2012 were 6,673 million metric tons (MMT), meaning that there were about 1,564 MMT from coal-fired plants alone in 2012. What Are the Benefits of Solar Power? Solar power has many benefits that make it a reliable alternative clean energy source. One of the first benefits is that it is renewable. Unlike other sources, solar does not need to be mined or processed which decreases the number of emissions. Solar power is also sustainable, meaning that it can continue to provide energy for centuries without needing to find new sources. Lastly, solar does not have any health effects unlike other forms of energy. It does not emit anything harmful into the atmosphere and no one will need protective equipment when working with solar panels. Conclusion Solar power is a renewable energy source that generates electricity from sunlight. It's a sustainable, environmentally-friendly way to power homes and businesses. Solar power generates electricity by using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electric current. These cells are installed in panels and connect to a solar inverter which then converts the energy into usable power for the grid. In the United States, solar power is used to produce about 1% of the country's electricity. In 2016 alone, solar power prevented the emission of an estimated 2.3 million tons of carbon dioxide as compared to fossil fuels. Solar power can be a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution for businesses and homes; it can also help reduce your carbon footprint and your electricity bill.