Solar power and greenhouse gas emissions

In order to truly 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 sole planet in the solar system we know of, that can host abundant life. This is because its average surface temperature of 15 degrees Celsius allows the presence of water.

Solar energy and its relationship to our atmosphere

Solar energy and the atmosphere are the two main elements that condition the Earth's temperature. Like the glass panels of a greenhouse, gases that are commonly present in the atmosphere, trap heat from the sun, maintaining our mild average temperature on the earth'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 very different. The Sun emits radiation consisting of a small number of ultraviolet rays and huge amounts 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 typically present in the atmosphere and fifty percent by the oceans and land. Consequently, only half of the initial solar radiation reaches the Earth's surface. The absorption of solar energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of our planet. Changed 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 energy generation

This exchange of energy between the Earth and the greenhouse gases is what permits the planet to maintain its average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, our atmosphere's natural greenhouse effect is a helpful phenomenon. The greenhouse effect is often cited in the news as a dangerous phenomenon, but the real risk is the degree of the natural greenhouse effect. This is the result of an addition 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 witnessed over the past half-century.

Researchers have rendered an innovative and comprehensive global analysis of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions -- from all relevant power sector technologies. Their research combines the strengths of simulations based on integrated energy-economy-climate standards that gauge cost-optimal long-term strategies to meet climate objectives with life cycle assessment approaches. So far, these research branches have operated independently. Exploring the life cycle emissions of future low-carbon supply systems and the connections for technology choices, they found that fossil power plants equipped with CCS will account for life-cycle emissions of around 100 grams of CO2-equivalents per kWh of electricity produced, ten times more than the approximately ten grams of CO2-equivalents for wind and solar power they project for 2050 in a climate protection situation in which power production is nearly totally decarbonized. Solar power provides a much better greenhouse gas emissions equilibrium than fossil-based technologies

Installing a solar system is the best thing you can do for the earth. The most recent climate reports are truly unbelievable. We need to stop burning fossil fuels as soon as possible and develop energy sources that do not pollute the earth. The amount of money that global warming has cost the world is truly staggering. When will we learn? The time is long past to start developing solar power!

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

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