THE MORE YOU KNOW WITH STECO
Is Solar Energy as Clean as You Think?
Compared to coal, oil, and natural gas, solar energy is exceptionally clean. It doesn’t rely on resources buried deep below the Earth’s surface, or government-sized budgets for setup. And, as long as we’re around, the sun will always rise again.
As we shift away from fossil fuels, let’s unpack what solar brings to the table and what its differentiating aspects are:
Clean Energy Source
Solar power significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change. Unlike fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, solar energy generates minimal to no greenhouse gases during operation. This reduction helps to combat global warming and the impact on human health.
Water Efficient
Unlike traditional power plants that rely on water for cooling processes, solar power does not need water to operate. This reduces demand on freshwater resources in areas prone to drought (recall the Cape Town drought, 2018). The graph below by Boston University breaks down the water consumption by each energy source. Solar photovoltaic systems (setups that convert sunlight directly into electricity using semiconductor materials, i.e. solar panels) use 5 times less water per megawatt-hour of electricity generated compared to coal-fired power plants. South Africa currently relies on coal for more than 90% of its power, meaning a lot of water is used for coal when it could be allocated elsewhere! Source
Beyond Pollution
Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy does not produce toxic air pollutants and particulate matter, which have negative effects on human health and the environment. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and heavy metals are not meant for our lungs, nor the planets. According to a Bloomberg article, the Vaal triangle regularly registers the highest levels of harmful particulate emissions on the planet! This is due to the world’s largest steel mill, Eskom’s Lethabo coal power station and Sasol’s coal-oil derived refinery. Solar power has a huge part to play by improving air quality and reducing respiratory illnesses associated with air pollution.
Scalable
The land footprint of solar power projects is relatively small compared to coal mines or natural gas drilling sites. Modular and flexible installation allows solar panels to be positioned on rooftops, vacant lots, and other underutilised spaces, minimising habitat disruption.
At STECO, we believe solar is a THE option for smaller scale entities such as households and businesses in urban environments.
On the other hand, we cannot mitigate the harmful processes involved during the extraction of materials for solar panels and manufacturing. Although, according to EnergySolutionSolar, the energy cost payback from using a solar panel, compared to its manufacturing energy cost, is typically achieved in less than 4 years, with the panels continuing to generate clean energy for 25-30 years.
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STECO offers extensive solar solutions as a clean, renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves water resources and improves air quality. Explore our solar energy solutions here so we can protect the environment and create a sustainable future together.
