By
Grace Smoot

Solar energy gained traction beginning in the 2000s when we realized that replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy is crucial to mitigating climate change. So, we had to ask: What are the environmental benefits of solar energy?

The main environmental benefits of solar energy include providing a renewable and sustainable source of energy, having a very low carbon footprint, protecting air quality, and generating very few waste products. Overall, solar energy is considered to be environmentally friendly energy.

Keep reading to find out all about what the environmental benefits of solar energy are, how safe and dangerous it is, what its pros and cons are, and how solar energy can specifically help mitigate climate change.

The Big Picture of the Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy is the conversion of solar radiation into electrical energy either through the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar radiation-concentrating mirrors. The energy produced is then used to generate electricity or can be stored in batteries or thermal storage for use at a later time. 

“Solar Energy: energy that uses the power of the sun to produce electricity”

Cambridge Dictionary

Harnessing the power of the sun falls into two main categories:

1. Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells: photovoltaic cells in solar panels absorb energy from sunlight, creating an electrical charge. This charge moves in response to an internal electric field in the cell, causing electricity to flow. 

2. Concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP): mirrors reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect and convert solar energy into heat. This is utilized in very large power plants.

Both systems take the energy from the sun and convert it to electricity, just by slightly different mechanisms. PV solar is the main mechanism used today to harness solar energy.

How Environmentally Friendly is Solar Energy	Overall, solar energy is considered to be environmentally friendly. It generates a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions as fossil fuels, emits zero sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide emissions, and can have a minimal impact on the land.
Benefit #1: Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source	Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable resource that can reduce emissions for generations to come.
Benefit #2: Solar energy has a low carbon footprint	Solar energy has one of the lowest carbon footprints out of all energy types. 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.
Benefit #3: Solar energy protects air quality	PV panels and concentrating mirrors produce minimal greenhouse gasses and emit no sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides, thereby helping to protect air quality.
Benefit #4: Solar energy generates few waste products	Solar energy generates few waste products upon operation, and solar panels can be recycled.

What Are the 4 Main Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source that has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, and generates very few waste products.

Environmental Benefit #1: Solar Energy Is a Renewable and Sustainable Energy Source

Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable resource that can reduce emissions for generations to come.

Environmental Benefit #1

Renewable energy sources are resources that naturally replace themselves over 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

Solar energy is classified as a renewable energy source because the sun generates energy at a rate faster than we can consume it. We can also continue to harness the sun’s energy almost indefinitely, or until the sun goes supernova (which won’t be for another 5 billion years).

Solar energy is also classified as a sustainable energy source. Sustainable energy sources meet the needs of our current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

“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 emits minimal greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and has a minimal effect on the environment, provided that proper siting and disposal methods are followed. This means future generations can continue to harness solar energy for many years.

Environmental Benefit #2: Solar Energy Solar Energy Has a Low Carbon Footprint

Solar energy has one of the lowest carbon footprints out of all energy types.

Environmental Benefit #2

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

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.

Overall, solar energy has the fifth-lowest carbon footprint out of all energy types, making it one of our cleanest energy sources. 

Environmental Benefit #3: Solar Energy Protects Air Quality

Solar energy produces a fraction of the pollution and toxic chemicals that fossil fuels produce, helping to protect air quality.

Environmental Benefit #3

Air pollution can cause numerous health problems including asthma, breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, and cancer. Fossil fuel (coal and natural gas) combustion emits coal ash residue, toxic heavy metals, CO₂, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, impairing public health.

Rather than combusting toxic materials like coal does, solar power plants harness the energy of the sun to generate electricity. PV panels and concentrating mirrors produce minimal greenhouse gasses and emit no sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides, thereby helping to protect air quality.

Environmental Benefit #4: Solar Energy Generates Few Waste Products

Solar energy generates few waste products upon operation, and solar panels can be recycled.

Environmental Benefit #4

In terms of emissions, solar energy produces few waste products, generating between 38 and 48 grams of CO₂ equivalent per kWh of electricity produced and zero sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide emissions. 

Solar panels themselves can be classified as hazardous waste depending on the type of metals present in the semiconductor and solder. For example, lead, arsenic, and cadmium are considered to be detrimental to human health and the environment, at high levels, and are therefore classified as hazardous. If solar panels containing toxic metals are dumped into landfills, the metals may leach out into the environment. 

Recycling end-of-life solar panels can help ensure any toxic chemicals do not leach out into the environment. 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.

The solar panel recycling industry is still in its infancy and continues to evolve. Just in 2018, Europe’s first solar panel recycling plant opened in southern France. Previously, solar panels were recycled in traditional recycling facilities where the glass and aluminum were separated and the rest burned in cement ovens. 

The International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that by 2030, the value of the recoverable raw materials from solar panels at the end of their lifespan will reach $450 million, which would be enough to produce approximately 60 million new solar panels. This highlights the importance of recycling solar panels.

What Are the Main Environmental Drawbacks of Solar Energy

Solar energy is an intermittent energy source, may be classified as hazardous waste, can disturb the surrounding land, and can negatively impact wildlife if proper siting, construction, and disposal methods are not followed.

Environmental Drawbacks of Solar Energy	Quick Facts
Drawback #1: Solar energy is an intermittent energy source	Solar energy production is heavily influenced by location, time of year, and weather patterns, making it unpredictable at times.
Drawback #2: Solar energy may be classified as hazardous waste	Solar panels containing lead, arsenic, and cadmium can be classified as hazardous waste.
Drawback #3: Solar energy can have a large land-use carbon footprint	Clearing the land for construction can disturb natural habitats and degrade the land.
Drawback #4: Solar energy can negatively impact wildlife	Utility-scale solar energy can cause habitat loss and fragmentation of natural habitats.

Here’s How Environmentally Friendly Solar Energy Is

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.

What Are the 6 Pros and 4 Cons of Solar Energy

Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source, has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, is efficient, generates few waste products, has low maintenance costs, and promotes energy independence and security.

However, solar energy is also an intermittent energy source, faces high upfront and maintenance costs, and has specific land requirements.

These Are the 6 Pros of Solar Energy

Solar energy has various pros that make it effective at reducing carbon emissions.

6 Pros of Solar Energy	Quick Facts
#1: Solar energy is a renewable energy source	Solar energy is classified as a renewable energy source because the sun generates energy at a rate faster than we can consume it. It is also sustainable because it emits minimal greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and does not negatively affect the environment, provided that proper siting and disposal methods are followed.
#2: Solar energy has a low carbon footprint	Solar energy has the fifth-lowest carbon footprint out of all energy types. 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.
#3: Solar energy protects air quality	Rather than combusting toxic materials like coal does, solar power plants harness the energy of the sun to generate electricity. PV panels and concentrating mirrors produce minimal greenhouse gasses and emit no sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides, thereby helping to protect air quality.
#4: Solar energy is efficient	Today’s PV solar cells have an average commercial energy conversion rate of 15-20%. In addition, solar energy is an efficient use of land, able to produce roughly 40 times more energy than one acre of corn devoted to ethanol production.
#5: Solar energy generates few waste products	Solar energy generates minimal CO2 and few other waste products upon operation, and solar panels can be recycled.
#6: Solar energy promotes energy independence and energy security	Solar energy can help us transition away from fossil fuels and towards an energy-independent future.

These Are the 4 Cons of Solar Energy

Understanding the drawbacks of solar energy is important in order to effectively mitigate climate change. 

4 Cons of Solar Energy	Quick Facts
#1: Solar energy is an intermittent energy source	The amount and availability of sunlight varies by location, time of day and year, and weather. The unpredictable nature of solar means we cannot rely on it fully to produce all of our energy.
#2: Solar energy has high upfront costs	The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates it costs roughly $25,000 to install an average-sized residential solar system in the US, before taking into account any tax incentives. Solar batteries can cost between $12,000 and $20,000 to install, depending on the type and size.
#3: Solar energy can be expensive to maintain	Routine solar panel maintenance can cost between $140-$180 per service, and solar panel cleaning can cost $25 per panel. Optional solar system monitoring, roof and solar panel repairs, and tree trimming can be additional hidden expenses.
#4: Solar energy has specific land requirements	Utility-scale solar farms can require 5-15 flat, unobstructed acres of land close to major population centers for commercial energy generation.

How Effective and Efficient Is Solar Energy

In terms of effectiveness, solar panels and concentrating mirrors are effective ways to convert sunlight into electricity. In addition, solar energy has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, and promotes energy security and independence.

In terms of efficiency, solar panels are efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. In addition, solar energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source, increases the efficiency of the power grid, and generates few waste products.

Solar energy is effective because:

• Solar energy is an effective way to convert sunlight into energy. It is currently our third-largest renewable electricity technology behind hydropower and wind energy.
• Solar has the fifth-lowest carbon footprint out of all energy types. 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, on a life-cycle basis.
• Solar produces a fraction of the pollution and toxic chemicals that fossil fuels produce, helping to protect air quality.
• Solar can help us transition away from fossil fuels and towards an energy-independent future.

Solar energy is efficient because:

• Solar energy boasts a high rate of efficiency per solar panel (15-20%) and is an efficient use of farmland.
• Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable resource that can reduce emissions for generations to come.
• Solar energy promotes the decentralization of our energy supply which increases power grid efficiency by reducing peak time usage and decreasing the likelihood of power outages. 
• Solar energy generates few waste products upon operation, and solar panels can be recycled.

How Can Solar Energy Help Mitigate Climate Change

Climate change is a severe, long-term consequence of fossil fuel combustion. If left untreated, atmospheric CO₂ can remain there for tens of thousands of years and exacerbate the negative effects of climate change. Solar energy emits less CO₂ upon operation than fossil fuels and can therefore reduce our total emissions. 

How Is Climate Change Defined

Climate change is arguably the most severe, long-term global impact of CO₂. Every year, we emit approximately 37 billion tons of CO₂. The carbon found in fossil fuels reacts with oxygen in the air to produce CO₂. 

“Climate change: changes in the earth’s weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns, and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gasses, especially carbon dioxide.”

Oxford Dictionary

When carbon enters the atmosphere, it absorbs sunlight and solar radiation, trapping the heat and acting as an insulator for the planet.

Since the Industrial Revolution, Earth’s temperature has risen a little more than 1 degree Celsius (°C), or 2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Between 1880-1980 the global temperature rose by 0.07°C every 10 years. This rate has more than doubled since 1981, with a current global annual temperature rise of 0.18°C, or 0.32°F, for every 10 years. 

How Does Solar Energy Specifically Help Mitigate Climate Change

The global average concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere today registers at over 400 parts per million, the highest ever recorded. Solar energy can help lower this concentration because it can replace some of the burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) with a cleaner form of renewable energy.

Solar emits roughly 0.05%-0.08% of the amount of CO₂ (grams of CO₂ equivalent per kWh) as fossil fuels. Solar also has a life-cycle global warming emission between 0.08 and 0.2 pounds of CO₂ equivalent per kilowatt-hour (kWh), whilst coal power plants have an estimated emission between 1.4-3.6 pounds of CO₂ equivalent per kWh. 

Increasing solar energy usage can reduce CO₂ emissions, and the more we reduce CO₂ emissions, the more we combat the negative effects associated with climate change including 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. 

Final Thoughts

Solar energy is a renewable and sustainable energy source that has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, and generates very few waste products.

Solar 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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