Helping the Environment with Solar Panel Installation

Changing people’s attitudes towards climate change and how CO2 affects the planet is big priority for governments across the world. Moving towards a greener way of life can help sustain the world in which we live and many people are being encouraged to do their bit. Helping the environment with solar panel installation is one of the best ways for people to lower their own carbon footprint.

Reliance on fossil fuels

In the UK most of the electricity generated for people’s homes and businesses is done through the burning of fossil fuels. Coal and natural gas are the two main elements which provide our electricity with both producing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that are pollutants and harmful to the earth’s atmosphere when burned. Helping the environment with solar panel installation is done by generating our own renewable energy and cutting back on the reliance of fossil fuels.

Reducing the need for fossil fuels through the installation of solar panels cuts back on the amount of carbon emissions being produced by each household or business, CO2 is the leading cause of global warming. Carbon dioxide increases the atmosphere’s ability to trap heat, thus contributing to the overall temperature of the planet; a typical home solar panel system can reduce CO2 emissions by around one tonne and larger systems can easily prevent ten times that amount.

Benefits of solar panel installation

Helping the environment with solar panel installation is often seen as a better method that other green energy solutions such as wind and water generation. Large turbines are used in wind and water generation and while these provide a good job; there is the downside of them having a detrimental effect on local wildlife such as birds, fish and other amphibians. Solar panels do not bring any of these problems.

Solar panels come in either photovoltaic or thermal systems, the former uses sunlight to generate electricity while the latter is able to heat water. When generating the power, solar panels create no carbon dioxide or any other by-products whatsoever. There is no fuel costs involved in the use of solar panels and they will continue to work as long as they receive the required sunlight. People with solar photovoltaic panel systems that receive plenty of sunlight are able to charge batteries which can be used for power during the night, doing this will cut down on the reliance on fossil fuels even further.

Helping the environment with solar installation is also achieved through the panels having no moving parts. Solar cells are formed over a flat surface and pose no threat to wildlife in the way that water and wind generation does.

Disadvantages of solar panel installation

The only real disadvantages of helping the environment with solar installation is the fact that a cell can produce only a small amount of electricity and requires plenty of sunlight to do so. This may mean that a large area is needed to be covered, this can be costly and those that cannot afford to do this may still need to rely on fossil fuels.

 

 

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