How Renewable Is Solar Energy? A Life-Cycle Assessment
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Experts predict the growth of renewable energy capacity will account for nearly 95% of the increase in global power capacity through the year 2026. Solar energy is one of our most utilized renewable technologies, so we had to ask: How renewable is solar energy?
Overall, solar energy is considered to be renewable energy. It is virtually inexhaustible and continuously replenished by the sun at a rate faster than we can deplete it. Renewable energy is naturally replenishing, virtually inexhaustible, and limited in the amount of energy available at one time.
Keep reading to learn how renewable solar energy is throughout its life cycle, what its carbon footprint is, what role it plays in combating climate change, and how safe or dangerous it is.
Here’s How Renewable Solar Energy Is
Solar energy is the conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy either through the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar radiation-concentrating mirrors.
“Solar Energy: energy that uses the power of the sun to produce electricity”
Cambridge Dictionary
Solar energy has become one of our most advanced and widespread renewable energy technologies. Renewable energy sources are flow-limited, naturally replenishing, virtually inexhaustible, and limited in the amount of energy available in a set amount of time.
“Renewable Energy: energy that is produced using the sun, wind, etc., or from crops, rather than using fuels such as oil or coal | types of energy that can be replaced naturally such as energy produced from wind or water”
Cambridge Dictionary
Given the worsening climate crisis, renewable energy has to come to represent a larger share of the overall energy market.
To understand how renewable solar energy is, we must assess its life cycle and each stage’s carbon footprint. This life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a method to evaluate the environmental impacts of products and materials. Over the years, companies have strategically used LCA to research and create more renewable products. So, let’s have a look at the LCA of solar energy!
| How renewable is solar energy overall | Overall, solar energy is renewable because it is virtually inexhaustible and is continuously replenished by the sun at a rate faster than we can deplete it. Solar panels can also be recycled and repurposed at the end of their lifespan. |
| Building of solar energy | This initial stage of solar energy is not considered to be renewable because it involves constructing and not repurposing or re-using. |
| Operating and maintaining of solar energy | This stage is renewable because we harness only a fraction of the amount of energy the sun gives off, and it naturally replenishes itself over time. |
| Building back of solar energy | Solar panels are built to last 30 years, and they can be recycled and repurposed at the end of their life cycle. |
How Renewable Is Solar Energy Overall
Overall, solar energy is renewable because it is virtually inexhaustible and is continuously replenished by the sun at a rate faster than we can deplete it. Solar panels can also be recycled and repurposed at the end of their lifespan.
How Renewable Is the Building of Solar Energy
The building stage of solar energy involves constructing solar panels/mirrors, solar facilities, and electricity delivery mechanisms.
Solar power plants require many components including mirrors, heat-exchange fluid, receivers, engines, turbines, and generators as well as transmission lines, transformers, and substations, all of which come with their own carbon footprint.
This initial stage of solar energy is not considered to be renewable because it involves constructing and not repurposing or re-using.
How Renewable Is the Operating and Maintaining of Solar Energy
The operating and maintaining stage of solar energy includes the process by which solar facilities capture the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity.
Solar energy is renewable because it is virtually inexhaustible and is continuously replenished by the sun at a rate faster than we can deplete it.
The sun will eventually run out of fuel and begin to die, but this won’t happen for another 5 billion years. Until then, we can continue to harness some of the 44 quadrillion watts of solar energy that fall upon Earth every year. To put it into perspective, it would take roughly 44 million power plants producing 1 billion watts of power to equal the amount of energy coming from the sun.
Given that we generated 1,300 terawatts (1.3 quadrillion watts) of solar energy in 2022, we can continue to harvest solar energy for many years to come.
How Renewable Is the Building Back of Solar Energy
The building back stage of solar energy involves:
- Shutting down the solar panels and other mechanical equipment
- Removing the solar panels, mirrors, racks, foundations, and enclosures from the site
- Restoring the land or roof to its original state
Recycling end-of-life solar panels can further increase their sustainability. Many of the components of solar panels can be recycled, including glass, aluminum, copper wire, and the plastic junction box. Specialty metals and silicon cells can also be separated and purified via chemical and electrical techniques.
What Is the Carbon Footprint of Solar Energy
The carbon footprint is one of the ways we measure the effects of human-induced global climate change. It primarily focuses on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with consumption and includes other emissions such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
“Carbon footprint: the amount of greenhouse gasses and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person’s activities or a product’s manufacture and transport) during a given period”
Merriam Webster
Although solar energy emits zero to no GHG emissions upon operation, there are emissions associated with other stages of its life cycle including manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, decommissioning, and dismantlement of materials.
On a life-cycle basis, concentrating solar energy emits 38, PV roof solar energy emits 41, and PV utility solar energy emits 48 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh of electricity produced.
Have a look at the illustration below to see the average life-cycle CO2 equivalent emissions of different energy sources and how they compare to solar energy.
What Role Does Solar Energy Play in Combating Climate Change
Climate change is arguably the most severe, long-term, global impact of fossil fuel combustion. Every year, approximately 37 billion tons of CO2 are emitted from burning fossil fuels. The carbon found in fossil fuels reacts with oxygen in the air to produce CO2. This warms the earth by acting as a heating blanket, and a warmer earth comes with a host of negative side effects.
Using solar energy instead of fossil fuel energy helps mitigate the following negative effects of climate change:
- Increasing temperatures: Earth’s atmosphere has warmed 1.5℃ since 1880. This may not seem like a lot, but these degrees create regional and seasonal temperature extremes, reduce sea ice, intensify rainfall and drought severity, and change habitat ranges for plants and animals.
- Rising sea levels: Global sea levels have increased approximately 8-9 inches since 1880, displacing people living along coastlines and destroying coastal habitats. Roads, bridges, subways, water supplies, oil and gas wells, power plants, sewage treatment plants, and landfills remain at risk if sea level rise goes unchecked.
- Melting of sea ice: Since 1979, arctic sea ice has declined by 30%. Sea ice plays a major role in regulating the earth’s climate by reflecting sunlight into space and providing habitat for animal species. If all of the glaciers on Earth melted, sea levels would rise by approximately 70 feet, effectively flooding out every coastal city on the planet.
- Changing precipitation patterns: Extreme weather events (e.g., hurricanes, floods, droughts) are becoming more common and more intense. Storm-affected areas will experience increased precipitation and flooding whereas areas located further from storm tracks will experience decreased precipitation and droughts.
- Ocean acidification: The ocean absorbs 30% of the CO2 released into the atmosphere, which decreases the pH (increases the acidity) of the ocean. In the past 200 years, the pH of oceans has decreased by 0.1 pH units, which translates to a 30% increase in acidity. Aquatic life unable to adjust to this rapid acidification will die off. A prime example of this is coral bleaching, where coral expels the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues as a result of changes in temperature, light, or nutrients.
The more we reduce CO2 emissions, the more we slow the rate of temperature rise, sea-level rise, ice melting, and ocean acidification. When these rates are slowed, the earth’s biodiversity does not have to struggle to adapt to temperature and pH changes. People will not be displaced due to the flooding of coastal areas. And icebergs will continue to provide climate regulation.
To help keep global temperature rise below 1.5C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, we must shift at least 80% of our electricity generation to low-carbon sources. Over 120 countries have already stated their net-zero carbon emissions ambitions for 2050 or 2060. But only 12 countries have thus far proposed or enacted any legislation, indicating that there is more work to be done.
How Clean Is Solar Energy
Overall, solar energy is considered to be clean energy.
“Clean energy: energy, as electricity or nuclear power, that does not pollute the atmosphere when used, as opposed to coal and oil”
Collins Dictionary
Solar energy produces virtually no greenhouse gasses or any other kind of environmental pollution upon its operation.
| How clean is the building of solar energy | Emissions at this stage vary based on the type and size of the solar facility, with larger solar facilities requiring more materials and resulting in more emissions from construction. Essentially, the smaller the solar facility, the cleaner the building stage is considered. |
| How clean is the operating and maintaining of solar energy | There are very few CO2 emissions or waste products associated with operating and maintaining PV and concentrating solar energy, making this phase very clean. |
| How clean is the building back of solar energy | Emissions at this stage vary based on the type and size of the solar facility, with larger solar facilities requiring more effort to decommission. Essentially, the smaller the solar facility, the cleaner the building back stage is considered. |
How Green Is Solar Energy
Overall, solar energy is considered to be green energy.
“Green Energy: energy that can be produced in a way that protects the natural environment, for example by using wind, water, or the sun”
Cambridge Dictionary
Solar energy has a low to zero-emissions profile and carbon footprint reductions that provide the highest environmental benefits.
| How green is the building of solar energy | The building stage of solar energy has a low carbon footprint when compared to fossil fuels, and solar can have a minimal impact on the land if proper siting measures are followed. |
| How green is the operating and maintaining of solar energy | Solar energy emits minimal greenhouse gasses and has a minimal effect on the environment, provided that proper siting of solar facilities occurs. |
| How green is the building back of solar energy | Recycling end-of-life solar panels can help ensure any toxic chemicals do not leach out into the environment. |
How Sustainable Is Solar Energy
Overall, solar energy is considered to be sustainable energy.
“Sustainable: The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level | Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance”
Oxford Dictionary
Solar energy meets the needs of our current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
| How sustainable is the building of solar energy | Solar panel and solar facility construction has become more sustainable in recent years with advancements in solar panel efficiency. |
| How sustainable is the operating and maintaining of solar energy | This stage is sustainable because we harness only a fraction of the amount of energy the sun gives off, meaning we can continue to use solar energy for many years to come. |
| How sustainable is the building back of solar energy | Solar panels are built to last 30 years, and they can be recycled at the end of their life cycle, which increases their sustainability. |
How Environmentally Friendly Is Solar Energy
Overall, solar energy is considered to be environmentally friendly.
“Environmentally friendly: (of products) not harming the environment.”
Cambridge Dictionary
Solar energy does just as the word implies, it has a minimal, negative impact on the environment.
| How environmentally friendly is the building of solar energy | The building of solar energy can be environmentally friendly so long as clearing the land for construction does not disturb natural habitats and degrade the land. |
| How environmentally friendly is the operating and maintaining of solar energy | Solar energy emits minimal greenhouse gas emissions and has a minimal effect on the environment, provided that proper siting of solar facilities occurs. |
| How environmentally friendly is the building back of solar energy | Solar panels themselves can be classified as hazardous waste depending on the type of metals present in the semiconductor and solder. Recycling end-of-life solar panels can help ensure any toxic chemicals do not leach out into the environment. |
How Safe or Dangerous Is Solar Energy
Overall, solar energy is not considered to be dangerous. Holistically and throughout its life cycle, solar is safe and beneficial for human and animal health, the environment, and the energy grid. It is also significantly safer than fossil fuels and other types of renewable energy.
Here’s How Safe Solar Energy Is
Overall, solar energy is a safe form of energy regarding human and animal health, the environment, the energy grid, and throughout all stages of its life cycle.
| How Safe Is Solar Energy at a Holistic Level | Human and Animal Health: Solar energy is safe for human and animal health and can be made safer with proper siting, monitoring, and maintenance of solar facilities. Environment: Solar energy emits minimal greenhouse gas emissions and has a minimal effect on the environment. Energy Grid and Infrastructure: Solar energy is a safe and beneficial addition to our power grid. It promotes the decentralization of our energy supply, which increases power grid efficiency by reducing peak time usage and decreasing the likelihood of power outages. |
| How Safe Is Solar Energy Across Its Life-Cycle | Building: Safe work practices and proper training of solar professionals can mitigate any risks associated with constructing solar facilities. Operating and Maintaining: Solar energy is considered safe to operate and maintain because it does not harm human health or the environment when producing energy. Building Back: This final stage is considered to be safe overall, with the most common workplace hazards (lifting, trips and falls, electricity, and ladders) able to be mitigated by safe work practices. |
| How Safe Is Solar Energy In Comparison to Other Types of Energy | Solar energy is one of our safest forms of energy that has one of the lowest death rates from accidents and air pollution per unit of electricity generation. |
Here’s How Dangerous Solar Energy Is
Overall, solar energy is considered minimally dangerous in terms of human and animal health, the environment, the energy grid, and through all stages of its life cycle.
| How Dangerous Is Solar Energy at a Holistic Level | Human and Animal Health: Solar energy is not dangerous to humans and is minimally dangerous to animals, with the main concerns being habitat loss and fragmentation of natural habitats. Environment: Solar energy is minimally dangerous to the environment, with land degradation and solar panel toxicity being the two main concerns. Energy Grid and Infrastructure: Solar energy is not considered to be dangerous to our energy grid or supporting infrastructure. |
| How Dangerous Is Solar Energy Across Its Life-Cycle | Building: Building solar facilities can expose workers to arc flashes (arc flash burn and blast hazards), electric shock, falls, and thermal burns. Operating and Maintaining: Solar energy has minimal dangers associated with this stage, with burns and electric shock being the most common. Building Back: The most common workplace hazards of this stage include those resulting from lifting, trips and falls, electricity, and ladders. |
| How Dangerous Is Solar Energy In Comparison to Other Types of Energy | Solar energy is significantly less dangerous than fossil fuels and other types of renewable energy. In fact, solar is one of the, if not the, safest forms of energy with a death rate of only 0.02 deaths per terawatt-hour of electricity produced. |
Final Thoughts
Overall, solar energy is renewable because it is virtually inexhaustible and is continuously replenished by the sun at a rate faster than we can deplete it. Solar panels can also be recycled and repurposed at the end of their lifespan, making them sustainable.
Renewable energy is poised to see continued growth in the future as we look to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global warming. As we look towards a future powered by renewables, solar energy is predicted to continue increasing in capacity because it benefits both our atmosphere and Earth’s biota.
Stay impactful,
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