Solar panels are a renewable and clean source of energy that have a number of environmental advantages. While the planet is in climate urgency, it is not only crucial to consider how to make the energy bill smaller, but also a way to decrease the carbon footprint of the earth.
Why Our Current Energy System Needs to Change
First of all, it is necessary to understand what makes solar energy so positive for the environment. In fact, at the moment, renewable energy sources provide us with 47.3% of energy according to the YouGov Report. This number is already good, but still more than half the energy on our planet is generated from dirty fossil fuels or nuclear power.
Solar panels help in reducing the use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Burning coal, oil and gas, as well as uranium releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which causes climate change, air pollution and other negative effects on the environment. Renewable sources, including solar energy, will help us leave dirty fuels and nuclear power behind.
Solar Panels and the Environment
So how do solar panels improve the environment?
- Save the Planet from Climate Change
Solar panels do not use any fuel or burn anything to generate electricity. During operation, they do not emit any harmful substances into the atmosphere. Installed solar panels can help you reduce your carbon footprint by up to 80-90% if you move away from traditional sources of energy.
- Cleaner Air and Water
Solar panels, when producing electricity, also do not release toxic substances such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These substances are the cause of smog and acid rain, which are extremely harmful to the environment.
- Saving Water
At the moment, a lot of power plants, especially nuclear and coal, consume a lot of water for cooling and steam generation. Solar PV panels consume almost no water at all, which, of course, is a significant advantage.
- Decrease in the Use of Fossil Fuels and Energy Security
Solar panels help us reduce the use of imported fossil fuels, which is important for the energy independence of the country. In addition, solar panels, if placed on the roofs of buildings, in car parks and even on the walls of buildings, help to increase the energy security of the system, since in such conditions the amount of energy transmitted will be less.
- Rational Use of Land and Raw Materials
Solar power plants can be placed on the roof of the building, and if they are horizontal, on the ground. In an area in which we decide to place solar panels, we will get a smaller but more valuable harvest than from coal or gas, which cause problems with extraction or drilling in virgin lands. The land on which solar panels will be placed may also be used in other ways at the same time, for example, for sheep to graze.
Solar Power in the UK
In 2023, renewables in the UK generated 47.3% of the country’s electricity. This is the highest level ever recorded in the country and is evidence that we are already on the right path. The largest share of the generation in the UK in 2023 goes to wind power (31.7%) and gas (32.8%). Solar panels share in this area is currently about 5%, but this year it is growing faster than ever before.
Solar panels not only provide clean and renewable energy, they are also a source of free energy in the long run, because the panels only need to be replaced once every 25-30 years. As the panels are getting more efficient and the cost of installation is decreasing, solar energy will play an even more important role in the lives of British people.
Solar panels for homeowners and businesses
Homeowners
Homeowners who install solar panels not only benefit from the financial savings that solar power brings, but also play their role in the improvement of the natural environment of the planet, reducing its carbon footprint.
Businesses
Businesses that have made the decision to switch to solar energy, also protect the environment and, in addition, are a great example for other companies, increasing the brand’s appeal to a modern environmentally aware customer.
Communities
Solar energy systems are installed in public buildings. In this case, solar energy lightens the load on the national grid and reduces costs for lighting these public buildings.
Eden Power makes it easy
Eden Power Ltd helps homeowners, businesses and communities get solar power. We will install solar panels in the shortest possible time and they will start working as efficiently as possible. Solar panels will help you make an impact on the life of our planet.
