Is solar making a dent in global warming?

Thoughtful people the world over are asking what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint. Even climate scientists are surprised at the speed of the Arctic ice melt and the associated sea level rise is a huge concern for coastal cities around the world. Global warming is possibly the most critical problem the world faces today. The alarmingly fast pace of climate change events makes the adoption of renewable energy of greatest concern. Solar energy generation is easily the most effective long-term solution to greenhouse gas emissions and the worrisome warming of the planet. Other renewable energy sources are less promising, but technological advancements promise better environmental balance in the future.

Solar and wind making fossil fuels obsolete

Rooftop solar panels are a huge aid to our clean energy future. Currently, to beat clean air targets, we will need to install a lot more solar power systems on a lot more rooftops and we need to do it fast.  But larger solar installations are going to become gradually more important in the future. Manufacturing solar, wind or nuclear plants create insignificant emissions compared to fossil fuels, a new study suggests. This remained true after considering emissions during manufacture and construction.

“There was a concern that it is a lot harder than suggested by energy scenario models to achieve climate targets, because of the energy required to produce wind turbines and solar panels and associated emissions,” explains project leader Dr Gunnar Luderer, who is an energy system analyst at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impacts Research (PIK).

Luderer tells Carbon Brief: “The most important finding [of our research] was that the expansion of wind and solar power…comes with life-cycle emissions that are much smaller than the remaining emissions from existing fossil power plants before they can finally be decommissioned.”

Carbon emissions and the solar energy revolution

Some people believe that nuclear, wind or solar power have a secret carbon footprint, due to their manufacture and construction. This large “carbon debt”, and the related liability of energy, must be paid off if they are to reduce emissions over their lifetime. Nuclear plants produce large volumes of extremely toxic waste that must be disposed of and there are no safe ways to handle this toxic waste. Ask the Japanese how they feel about nuclear energy after the disasters at Fukushima. Yes, many Japanese politicians are facing pressure from nuclear and fossil fuel lobbyists to fire up their dormant nuclear power plants. Wind turbines and nuclear plants require large quantities of steel and concrete. In addition, the centrifuges that separate nuclear fuel also tend to generate a large electricity bill. Still, zero-carbon sources of power are not the only ones to have an indirect carbon and energy footprint. For gas and coal, discharges come from extraction machines and fuel transport. They also originate from methane leaks at pipelines, wellheads or coal mines. These emissions continue, even if coal or gas plants add CCS, which also may not catch 100% of emissions at the power plant.

Solar is the only sane solution

After analyzing the energy landscape, it is clear that solar power is by far the renewable energy method that is most ready to serve the needs of power-hungry humanity for the foreseeable future. The price of solar panels is coming down and many home and business owners see the wisdom of a solar energy investment. Generating your own energy is a wonderful feeling that is contagious. Be the first on your block to add a solar energy system to your home!

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

HahaSmart Blog - More Solar Tips and Guide
HahaSmart News - Stay Informed
Your Solar Incentives - See Credits and Incentives in Your Area
Check Your Home's Solar Price - See How Much You Save
Register Now - Unlock The Lowest Solar Prices in Your Area