0
They are certainly not without some environmental impact. The quartz glass used is mined, and shaped using energy. The assembly brackets come from mined aluminum and it has also gone through a refining and shaping process that uses energy. The cells themselves are made in a very energy intensive process using very toxic gases.
Once made, the panels do offer a few decades of pollution free energy. They decrease the Albedo effect due to their dark color which adds to the overall energy taken on by our planet. They also will be disposed of after their projected life is completed which puts the toxins on the cells into our disposal sites. Typically a solar panel is considered spent when it can only produce 75% of the power is originally could. This may be as long as 30 years though.
They also have issues with reduced power output in warm weather, which means that fossil fuel plants are needed more during the warm weather or cloudy days. They certainly have their place though. Quiet backup supplies for homes or power in remote locations or in space is a perfect use for these units.
The panels also produce D.C. power which needs to be converted. Inverters also generate pollution during their manufacturer.
Anything that man does to obtain energy is going to have an impact on the environment. What, where and how much is the only variables.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How is solar energy cheap?
Solar energy is cheap compared to the high costs of fossil fuels and the toll they take on the environment. Solar energy is cheap in the long run. Very cheap, like in NJ after 5 years.....FRee kind of cheap!
What quiestions are there about solar energy?
A question about solar energy could be: what is solar energy?: what does solar energy do?:does solar energy do anything for the earth/planet?
Is solar energy non-biodegradable?
Sunlight is not an organic substance and can't degrade. Neither will the collectors degrade to biological substances. So from that point of view solar energy is not biodegradable. On the other hand, all the components used in the production of energy from sunlight could be recycled which makes the production solar energy have a low cost to the environment.
How does using solar energy help the environment?
it reduces the amount of carbon emission going into the atmosphere and is completely natural
How could solar energy source be used?
You can use solar energy to power your house. You will need to get solar panels to convert solar energy to usable energy.
How does solar energy impact society?
the impact solar energy gives off to the people is the solar energy
What kind of impact does a solar panel have on the environment?
it helps save are energy source and saves energy but its is made with some of are main supplies
Is there a way to obtain solar energy that may not damaging the environment?
I think that solar energy obtained through solar panel doesn't harm the environment.
What are apparent environmental impacts associated with solar energy?
Solar power does not affect the environment, contrary to other power systems. So by not affecting the environment it improves it, because all other alternatives have certain types of impact (green or not). After solar, wind power is probably the one with the least impact. Smaller hydroelectric can be made to have low impact but big projects usually have some sort of impact.
How energy effects the environment?
i the solar
Why is solar energy environmentally safe?
There is not any side effect of solar energy on environment. In real terms no energy is without some environmental impact. Solar energy requires solar cells or some conversion panel to use the energy in some needed or desired form. These units take energy to create. This pollution is ignored as once made, no further pollution is created.
What is the impact energy has on the environment?
all living things require energy so no energy, no environment
How have people tried to minimize their impact on the environment?
by using clean types of such as solar energy, wind energy, thermal energy, hydro electric energy. And by minimizing the use of non renewable resources and materials that cause poloution.
How do renewable energy sources impact your environment?
Only in very small ways do they impact the environment. Renewable sources of energy emit no polluting greenhouse gases, so they have no effect on global warming. Solar panels on your roof have no impact. Wind turbines have a slight visual impact. Dams impact the environment of the croplands above them. Tidal power may obstruct shipping and fish movements. Wave power machines may obstruct shipping and whale movements.
What negative effect's can solar energy have on the environment and how?
none
How can solar energy help the polar bears?
Because your not using gas or other that hurt the environment and use those bad things cause globe warming, but solar energy is the energy that you get in the environment
Which scource of energy would be the most economical and safest for the community to pursue?
Radiant energy is the safest energy for people and the environment.
