The environmental benefits of solar energy are part of what makes solar an excellent investment for your home. Not only can you save money but also you can increase the value of your home while at the same time helping protect the planet.
Here are a few of the ways solar energy has a positive impact on the environment.
Air pollution
Greenhouse gas emissions are typically the first thing mentioned when discussing the environmental benefits of solar. Powering your home with solar avoids nearly 14 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Over the course of a system’s average lifespan of 25 years, that number adds up fast. Unlike energy generated by fossil fuels, solar power generation is emission-free. Traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are the primary sources of carbon dioxide emissions. Even if you account for the emissions produced when making solar panels, you offset that over the first four years of a system’s lifetime, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Water pollution
Here in Southwest Florida, the quality and availability of water is essential. Solar helps protect both. Generating electricity through fossil fuel-based power plants consumes vast amounts of water for cooling and other processes. Solar energy doesn’t require water. Power plants can also create toxic runoff. That water travels downstream and could end up in a canal or bay near you.
Noise pollution
A less often considered environmental benefit of solar is the lack of noise pollution. The solar panels you place on your roof are silent. A quieter natural environment allows animals that require communication to survive. It has the added benefit of being good for your health as well.
Technology advancements
Solar power is not a new concept. Time has allowed for significant improvement in the efficiency of solar systems. As time progresses, efficiency will increase, resulting in further environmental benefits. Solar panels are recyclable thanks to their primary materials being glass, metal, and silicone. Advancements are being made in recycling technology every year, reducing any potential environmental impacts of solar.
If the environmental benefits of solar energy have piqued your interest in adding it to your home, contact us. At Stilwell Solar, we have more than 40 years of experience in the field and are ready to help you get started. Call (239) 495-5988 for a free consultation.
