Solar Energy and the Environment: Examining the Positive Impact Solar Development Has on Unused Farmland & Our Planet
After decades of observation, a study released in 2021 showed that certain areas of the Amazon rainforest absorbed less carbon monoxide than they released. Due to fire and deforestation, the Amazon continuously struggles to soak up crucial heat-trapping carbon emissions.
Where do these emissions go? Unfortunately, they are released into the atmosphere.
This doesn't mean the planet is without options. Landowners and real estate developers alike can use solar energy to effectively reduce carbon emissions. There are tons of amazing uses for solar power, including space heating and cooling, reduced electricity bills, and low maintenance costs.
How can you help the world around you by utilizing solar power on your farmland? This article explains the impact of solar development on the environment and why you should use it on your property.
Purifies the Air
When fossil fuels are mined and burned, they release toxic chemicals into the air, along with dangerous molecules. This includes a mixture of nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
Burning coal causes sulfur dioxide and makes respiratory conditions worse, including nasal congestion, asthma, and pulmonary inflammation.
Nitrogen oxide occurs when fossil fuels are burned. Nitrogen oxide creates smog that burns lung tissue. This hazardous smog can increase a person's odds of getting bronchitis, asthma, and other chronic respiratory issues.
When installing solar panels, you're using an alternative type of renewable energy. You're also preventing dangerous pollution from entering the air. When used on a large scale, solar energy has the potential to cover your farms electricity costs and monetize unused land while helping the environment.
Water Conservation
Natural gas and coal both rely on a large amount of water consumption to create energy. Nuclear power, although considered a clean and efficient type of energy, uses just as much water as coal plants use.
Water is a crucial part of extracting and refining fossil fuel energy. It's also used to harness that energy. When mining and drilling for coal, water is later mixed in to transport those substances across a series of pipelines.
From there, boiling water creates steam. This steam is converted into electricity. Even techniques for controlling pollution rely on large quantities of water.
Water is a renewable source, but clean water is an important commodity not everyone has access to. Once the water in power plants is returned, some of it evaporates or becomes polluted water.
This poses a challenge to certain areas. These areas are already susceptible to droughts or low reserves of water. From there, toxins leach into sources of freshwater, further impacting the environment.
A solar system setup requires very little water and can preserve sources of clean water. They also work to prevent contamination.
Solar energy is also excellent for preventing shortages of clean water. Solar development additionally reduces the need for natural gas or coal.
When you produce energy, you rely less on fresh water. The result is a reduction in water shortages. Instead, you'll have plenty of clean water for consumption and irrigation.
Fewer Carbon Emissions
More than 1.5 trillion tons of carbon dioxide have been emitted worldwide since 1751. One of the largest sources of carbon dioxide is the electric power sector, with natural gas and coal at the helm.
Although the solar panel manufacturing process creates some carbon dioxide emissions, the panels themselves don't produce any carbon emissions once installed. Solar panel designs, however, can replace coal and natural gas. This means significantly less carbon dioxide will enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Animals and Crops
Additionally, solar development positively impacts animals and crops. For example, solar panels offer livestock shade, allowing cows and sheep to graze throughout the day without constant exposure to the hot sun. They also provide a place for birds to build their nests.
Solar panels also reduce water requirements for growing and maintaining crops. Since they offer crops shade, farmers can save on water. This is extremely important in arid regions of the country, including the desert.
Since solar panels can change the shading, temperature, and amount of soil water absorption surrounding plants, there's the potential for farmers to benefit from extended growing seasons.
Land Preservation
Another excellent reason to rely on solar power is for land preservation. In November 2022, the global human population reached 8 billion people. Conversely, in 1950, the population was estimated at just 2.5 billion.
Land preservation can lead to affordable housing for those in need. In 2022, America alone had roughly 582,000 people experiencing homelessness.
The less land reserved for power plants, the more usable land to accommodate a growing population. When you adopt solar power, you're providing more opportunities to create sustainable housing.
It's common for traditional power plants to remove all natural resources from the land they occupy, but solar energy keeps the landscape intact and easily restorable once solar panels are removed.
Preserve Finite Resources
Unlike finite resources such as coal, gas, and oil, the energy harnessed from the sun is infinitely available. This means that finite natural resources will remain preserved and intact, thanks to solar power.
For context, the United States consumed an estimated 546 million short tons (MMst) of coal in 2021. Thanks to solar power, these finite resources can be reserved.
Invest in Solar Energy Today
Solar energy works to preserve crucial natural resources while eliminating dangerous greenhouse gas emissions into the Earth's atmosphere. You can replace natural gas and coal by relying on solar panels, working to reduce the effects on the environment.
Dirigo is a leader in renewable energy, developing affordable single and multi-family development along with solar fields to monetize unused or unusable farmland. Contact us today to create a sustainable future using renewable energy.