Solar power and greenhouse gas emissions

In order to really understand solar power, we need to know some of the basics. The Sun is the main star of our solar system, which consists of eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The surface of the Sun is extremely hot, with a temperature of about 6,000 degrees Celsius. Due to its position, neither too near nor too far from the Sun, the Earth is the only planet in the solar system we know of, that can host abundant life. This is because its average surface temperature of 15 degrees Celsius enables the presence of water.

Solar energy and the atmosphere

Solar energy and an atmosphere are the two main elements that condition the Earth's temperature. Like the glass panels of a greenhouse, gases that are naturally present in the atmosphere, trap heat from the sun, maintaining our mild average temperature on the planet's surface. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect. Without it, the surface temperature of the Earth would be –18 degrees Celsius and life, would be quite different. The Sun emits radiation consisting of a small amount of ultraviolet rays and huge quantities of visible light and near infrared. 30% of this radiation is reflected by clouds, the atmosphere, and the Earth's surface. The remaining 70% is absorbed: 20% by gases naturally present in the atmosphere and 50% by the oceans and land. Consequently, only fifty percent of the initial solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface. The absorption of solar energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of our planet. Converted into heat, this energy is then sent back into space by the atmosphere and the Earth's surface in the form of middle infrared radiation. 

The greenhouse effect and solar

This exchange of energy between the Earth and the greenhouse gases is what enables the planet to maintain its average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, our atmosphere's natural greenhouse effect is a beneficial phenomenon. The greenhouse effect is often cited in the news as a dangerous phenomenon, but the real danger is the degree of the natural greenhouse effect. This is the result of an increase in greenhouse gases due to human activity, in particular, the burning of fossil fuels. It is thought that this intensification of the greenhouse effect is a key cause of the global warming trend that has been observed over the past half-century. 

Installing a solar system is the best thing you can do for the earth

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.