Renewable energy sources provide solutions to some environmental, health and safety hazards that come with fossil fuel energy generation. One of those renewable sources is solar. Let's explore a few ways solar energy can be safer for the environment and everyone living in it.
Decreased air pollution
Transitioning to more zero-emission sources like solar can reduce the likelihood of developing health complications due to air pollution. Solar energy generation does not emit hazardous air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Solar panels generate energy through the photovoltaic effect that occurs when sunlight strikes the surface of a panel. The energy from the sunlight’s photons transfer to electrons in the panel, breaking them from atomic bonds and creating electricity. This process creates no emissions, helping keep the surrounding environment safe and healthy.
Soil enhancement
Through careful management, land previously used for single-species crops or other industrial activity can be enhanced with reseeding and the creation of new habitats. Solar built on brownfields, land that’s no longer agriculturally productive or that’s complicated to repurpose, can revive the soil. When developing solar, utilities must provide a detailed Vegetation Management Plan to regulators for review and assess the best approach for the environment. At Alliant Energy, we plant pollinator-friendly seed mixes and native grasses at our solar projects.
Fewer maintenance hazards
Solar panels function with minimal movement and pose very low fire hazard, especially compared to energy sources that require combustion. Maintaining and operating solar installations also poses fewer dangers because they don’t require handling or storing hazardous substances.
By adopting solar, we can breathe cleaner air, revitalize soil and reduce maintenance hazards. To learn more about what solar can help achieve, check out our article on solar power in the summer.