Why is solar power considered cleaner than a coal power plant?

Answer 1

Solar power is consider cleaner because it doesn't pollute the atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO2) and it is easier to run.

Both answers are sadly the common view and both are very wrong.

Solar power systems are very complicated to run. The massive amount of complex equipment make solar a very difficult system to operate and maintain. They are also very high maintenance.

Most solar power systems also have a backup fossil fuel plant that produces almost as much CO2 as would be produced without the solar array even being installed. This means that solar actually produces less then zero power. What it does do is allow for credits that moeset the CO2 produced and makes people feel good about the rising use of power and energy.

Coal's issue is not CO2 either. Levels of CO2 have increased in out atmospere from 0.030 to 0.038% (questionably). Suloher dioxide is a much larger issue from coal and leads to acid rain.

Answer 2

Solar power is considered cleaner than coal power because it produces electricity without emitting harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Solar power also has a lower environmental impact throughout its life cycle, including production, operation, and decommissioning, compared to coal-fired power plants which contribute significantly to air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.