“This would maximize solar energy generation potential while protecting our planet’s climate, air quality, water, land and wildlife.”, Rebecca Hernandez, UC Davis John Muir Institute of the Environment, 530-752-5471 , rrhernandez@ucdavis.edu, Greer Ryan, Center for Biological Diversity, 812-345-8571, gryan@biologicaldiversity.org, Kat Kerlin, UC Davis News and Media Relations, 530-752-7704, kekerlin@ucdavis.edu. The air and water pollution emitted by coal and natural gas plants is linked … In 2019, solar is expected to provide more than 30 percent of all new U.S. electric capacity. This is equivalent to 2.0–2.2 cents per kilowatt-hour of solar installed (¢/kWh-solar). China is installing a soccer field's worth of solar panels every hour. The paper offers a new framework for analyzing solar projects to better understand the full suite of benefits. They like that they don’t have to depend as much on the grid for their energy needs. We already mentioned how some people enjoy solar energy because they like being green and energy independent. Solar energy is the fastest-growing source of power worldwide. Renewable Energy Benefits: Leveraging Local Capacity for Solar PV Renewable energy development can drive economic growth, create new jobs and enhance human health and welfare at the national level. Scientists and climatologists have created a large body of work, which includes experiments, climate models, and research. Interests Solar energy is turning out to be the best replacement for the conventional energy to fight climate change. But there are still people who doubt the efficiency of clean energies. For example, solar panels paired with native plant restoration can add habitat while also increasing panel efficiency. “As governments increasingly commit to 100 percent renewable energy, they should valuate and appropriately incentivize the synergies outlined in this study,” said Alona Armstrong of Lancaster University and the paper’s second author. Copyright © 2020 Vivint Solar Developer, LLC. This is great for so many reasons. "Carbon pollution from power plants is our nation’s biggest driver of climate change, and threatens what matters most: the health of our kids, the safety of our neighborhoods and the ability of Americans to earn a living,” -- former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, in an EPA blog post. Next Article: Do Marine Protected Areas Work? All rights reserved. Contact one of our solar reps today to find out whether a solar energy system is the right choice for you! There are plenty of different reasons why solar energy is so advantageous. But solar can also help reduce our dependence on nonrenewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels. For information about our contractor licenses, please visit, US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. Solar energy is one of the ways we can try to prevent the effects of climate change. Photovoltaic panels range from blue to black but they are smooth and have an albedo around 0.3. The type, size, and location of renewable energy (RE) deployment dramatically affects benefits to climate and health. Whether you’re looking to do your part in making the world a greener, place or you simply want to save money on your utility bills, Vivint Solar can help you. However, empirical studies identifyi… Human activities, especially over the past few centuries, have been the bane for our environment. Smog, dirty air, is bad for the environment, it’s bad for our health, and it’s bad for aesthetics. Here are five of the environmental benefits of renewable solar energy. Fossil fuels create a lot of pollutants. Solar energy is a sustainable energy source, has a low environmental … Climate Science To address climate change, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church in Raleigh now has 216 photovoltaic solar panels on its fellowship hall roof creating electricity. Photovoltaic solar cells convert sunlight directly into electricity by the so-called photovoltaic effect, by which certain materials are able to absorb photons (light particles) and liberate electrons, generating an electric current. Wind and solar energy provide air-quality, public health, and greenhouse gas emission benefits as they reduce reliance on combustion-based electricity generation. Often a dam will need to be built to control the water flow and electricity production. A recent New York Times column seems to imply that renewable energy investments set back efforts to address climate changenothing could be further from the truth. “By valuing all the benefits of renewable energy, we can start to build an energy system that’s beneficial for people, wildlife and wild places.”, “Solar energy has way more benefits than most people imagine,” said Greer Ryan, a renewable energy and research specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity and co-author of the paper. First and foremost, those nonrenewable energy resources create a lot of the pollutants that negatively impact our air quality. In fact, they estimate that we could save more than 25,000 lives. More Solar Energy Means Less Fossil Fuels The Leveraging Local Capacity series examines the kinds of jobs created and suggests ways to build on existing industries. Undoubtedly solar energy will be part of the solution in regards to the affects of climate change, but is siting solar energy installations on public lands, such as in the Mojave Desert, the best place to do so? Solar Energy- Fighting Climate Change Solar Energy and Climate Change. By clicking this button, you consent to receive calls about our products and services at the number you provided above. Environmental Research Letters , 2020; 15 … According to the International Energy Agency, solar energy could become the largest electricity source by 2050. We’ve already mentioned how the US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy believes that a solar energy system can help us reduce water scarcity, but in that same report, the office also estimates that cleaner air could have a positive effect on mankind’s health. You agree that such calls may be made using an automatic telephone dialing system, they may be considered telemarketing or advertising under applicable law, and that you are not required to provide your consent to these calls to make a purchase from us. Research: 'Harvesting' Solar Would Benefit Farmers, Climate Developing enough solar energy on farms to generate a fifth of the country's electricity needs could create 100,000 jobs. Federal and state incentives are available for going solar. Renewable energy has been one of the bright spots of the U.S. economy during these … consequences of climate change. When pollutants get trapped in the air, everything just looks worse. You’ve heard that solar energy is good for the environment, but have you ever wondered why or how? The best advantage of solar energy production for the environment is that there are absolutely no gas emissions attributed during the production of electricity. Make the case for understanding that as renewable energy development is ramped up to address the climate crisis, it shouldn’t create unnecessary negative impacts, especially when technology and resources are available to maximize positive effects. But some of the best benefits of solar energy are the way it impacts the environmental. If you’ve ever been to California, New York, China, or anyplace whose geography consists of mountains and valleys, you’ve seen what dirty air looks like. | Privacy & Accessibility | Principles of Community | University of California | SitemapCopyright © The Regents of the University of California, Davis campus. Other sources include hydroelectric, biofuels, solar radiation, wind, and geothermal heat. A study released today provides the most complete list yet of the advantages of solar energy — from carbon sequestration to improvements for pollinator habitat. Last but not least, there’s the issue of climate change. Established!in!1974,!the!Solar!Energy!Industries!Association®!is!the!national!trade!association!of!the!U.S.!solar!energy!industry.!Through! Achieving the SunShot-level solar deployment targets—14% of U.S. electricity demand met by solar in 2030 and 27% in 2050—could reduce cumulative power-sector GHG emissions by 10% between 2015 and 2050, resulting in savings of $238–$252 billion. Climate - Climate - Solar radiation and temperature: Air temperatures have their origin in the absorption of radiant energy from the Sun. Whats more, renewable technologies can increasingly save customers money as they displace emissions from fossil fuels. UC Davis researchers are looking at the effects of human development in the Mojave Desert and where other locations may be to site solar energy other than undisturbed landscapes and agriculture fields. In this article, we’ll look at the different environmental benefits of solar energy to help you better understand the impact that renewable energy has. Health. Renewable energy is one of the most effective tools we have in the fight against climate change, and there is every reason to believe it will succeed. In the United States, these benefits vary dramatically by region and over time. A study released today provides the most complete list yet of the advantages of solar energy — from carbon sequestration to improvements for pollinator habitat. It suggests a framework for understanding more completely, and ultimately quantifying, the benefits of solar energy, identifying 20 frequently overlooked advantages. Development of renewable energies is essential if we want to slow down climate change and fight for all the planet’s inhabitants to have access to electricity. Solar energy is becoming an increasingly cost-competitive alternative to fossil fuels. If your energy source doesn’t use fossil fuels to power itself, it probably uses some sort of water as its resource. Building wind and solar farms helps to reduce the human impact on climate change by displacing noxious emissions from coal-fired power plants. Home » The Climate and Air-Quality Benefits of Wind and Solar Power in the United States. And the environmental benefits of solar power are a big part of that. In the last decade, wind and solar deployment has increased … "Rural America, agriculture in particular, can be the solution to many of our concerns, whether it be renewable energy, mitigating climate change impacts, sustainable food … Solar panels create energy without water nor a negative impact on the ecosystem. Create a framework for characterizing 20 benefits of installations on different spaces, including rooftop solar; solar on contaminated land; solar over functional bodies of water like reservoirs, water treatment areas and irrigation canals; and solar co-located with agriculture and grazing. Wind power is the most harnessed source. Singapore wants to soak up more energy from the sun, amid growing global awareness on how fossil fuels are contributing to climate change. Evaluating cross-sectoral impacts of climate change and adaptations on the energy-water nexus: a framework and California case study. Cacti and Other Iconic Desert Plants Threatened by Solar Development, Cooling Sacramento: Low-Carbon Cooling in a Warming City. Creating jobs. Meaning no carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide needed to generate electricity that would be harmful for the human’s health. This would help solve our water scarcity issue. There are some other benefits and advantages as well. And while solar energy is not the only solution to this complex problem, it is an effective way to help reduce carbon emissions. There are some financial benefits to solar, such as savings through lowering your electric bill. ... this research shows that the climate benefits … Hydropower and nuclear energy both use a lot of water to produce electricity. By 2030, Singapore wants its solar … In short, society’s dependence on fossil fuels has led to a much harsher climate. If you’ve ever been to California, New … What Does All This Have To Do With Solar Panels Contributing To Climate Change? Considering that two-thirds of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originate from the energy sector, the IPCC emphatically calls for an immediate transformation of the world’s energy system with massive uptake of renewables and steadily increasing energy … Your solar panels create clean energy that won’t contribute to air pollution. It makes it harder and harder for the environment to clean the air. Curiosity Vivint Solar Developer, LLC (EIN: 80‐0756438) is a licensed contractor in each state in which we operate. Some people just like the idea of being green and more energy independent. Currently, you can deduct 30% of the cost … Inexhaustible and renewable, since it comes from the Sun, solar energy is harnessed using panels and mirrors. Energy has allowed for many advances in our lives including power for homes, jobs and vehicles. They are subject to many influences, including those of the atmosphere, ocean, and land, and are modified by them. By reducing our CO2 emissions, and releasing fewer pollutants in the air, we can all do our part to slow down climate change. The state has already seen some impacts that climate change could have on these highly interdependent water-energy systems; for example, extended droughts and reduced snowpack have resulted in spikes in electricity consumption from groundwater pumping and hydropower deficits, which were made up by generating electricity using dirtier fossil fuels. To get a free quote, call 877.404.4129 or fill out the form below. We love solar power here at Vivint Solar. In fact, the US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy believes that solar energy systems could help drop water consumption in at least 36 states. Suggest how this framework might be useful in policy and regulatory decision-making in order to ensure a sustainable energy transition. Solar has many advantages beyond providing power, particularly when built to maximize social, technological and environmental benefits. At present, though, only 11% of U.S. energy consumption is from renewable sources. Reduces Air Pollution. That there is now a general consensus among these professionals that we need a renewable energy project to stem the tide of climate change. Installing solar panels, adopting a more climate-friendly diet, or buying an electric vehicle is likely to spur others to take similar steps. The sooner and more fully we can make the transition to renewable energy, the better for both the environment and our species. The study also marks the launch of a partnership between the Center for Biological Diversity and UC Davis to advance a “Wild Energy” future, which emphasizes the potential of solar energy systems to benefit not only humans, but the entire planet. And hopefully we’ve helped you learn a thing or two about the benefits of solar energy. The paper offers a new framework for analyzing solar projects to better understand the full suite of benefits. Suggest a model for engineering solar energy systems that maximizes both technological and ecological benefits. Considerable investments in renewable energy must be made if the world wishes to fight climate change. As the carbon count continues to increase, so will our retention of heat from the sun. Previous Article: Fish Die-offs Linked to Hotter Summer. These changing air conditions will continue to have an effect on different climates, causing some to warm, others to cool, and causing weather patterns everywhere to become more sudden and volatile. The study, conducted by climate change research scientist Aixue Hu of the National Center for Atmospheric Research and published Monday in the journal Nature … “The first step in creating a wild-energy future is understanding the true value of solar,” said lead author Rebecca R. Hernandez, assistant professor at UC Davis’ John Muir Institute of the Environment. Sign up for our monthly newsletter highlighting our latest climate change research stories, blog posts, and features. In any discussion about climate change, renewable energy usually tops the list of changes the world can implement to stave off the worst effects of … With dams, there’s the problem that damming water will have a significant impact on the local ecosystem. Second, nonrenewable resources are nonrenewable because they will, eventually, run out. The continual dump of pollutants and additional CO2 into the air, costs our planet. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, was conducted by researchers from the University of California, Davis; Lancaster University in the United Kingdom; the Center for Biological Diversity; and 10 other organizations. Below we debunk some of these false arguments of solar photovoltaic energy: That’s because with cleaner air comes cleaner lungs. All rights reserved. Fossil fuels create a lot of pollutants. University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 | 530-752-1011Help | Questions or comments? What to know about solar health/environmental benefits Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that can be used in place of fossil fuels Solar decreases harmful emissions into the atmosphere See your environmental impact and start comparing solar quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace today Food “We’re hoping utilities, regulators and legislators will now have a better sense of the importance of solar energy, which will lead to the expansion of rooftop solar, more community solar development and lower prices for everyone.”. Photograph by Sean Gallagher, Nat Geo Image Collection Three Reasons to Believe in China's Renewable Energy Boom Improved public health. Research published by Yale’s Center for Business and the Environment has found that pollinator-friendly solar can boost crop yields, increase the recharging of groundwater, reduce soil erosion … The deployment of renewable energy can potentially offer co-benefits for rural populations in sub-Saharan Africa. 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