Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar on the environment
Nitrogen Trifluoride
One major impact of solar panels is that its expansive use on land. A square kilometer of solar panels produces between 20 and 60 megawatts. Coal power requires just as much land per unit of energy, and at least solar energy is renewable and does not release much pollution.
Some of the materials to make solar panels are heavy, and some are hazardous such as arsenic, many of which can be dangerous to the environment, if improperly disposed of, however the same can be said about coal and oil. Also the manufacturing of solar cells (when put together equals a module or panel) causes a lot of pollution.
Fossil fuels (not solar) also produce two-thirds sulfur dioxide emissions, and a quarter nitrous oxide emissions in the united states, causing smog, and acid rain. In 2007 over 8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide were released into earths atmosphere (which is bad for the atmosphere). However you can avoid this by using solar panels!
However nitrogen trifluoride is also used to make solar panels, and about 2% of it escapes into the atmosphere. Nitrogen trifluoride is 17000 times more potent as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide. This, and the pollution are pretty much the only environmental down sides.
Some of the materials to make solar panels are heavy, and some are hazardous such as arsenic, many of which can be dangerous to the environment, if improperly disposed of, however the same can be said about coal and oil. Also the manufacturing of solar cells (when put together equals a module or panel) causes a lot of pollution.
Fossil fuels (not solar) also produce two-thirds sulfur dioxide emissions, and a quarter nitrous oxide emissions in the united states, causing smog, and acid rain. In 2007 over 8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide were released into earths atmosphere (which is bad for the atmosphere). However you can avoid this by using solar panels!
However nitrogen trifluoride is also used to make solar panels, and about 2% of it escapes into the atmosphere. Nitrogen trifluoride is 17000 times more potent as a global warming agent than carbon dioxide. This, and the pollution are pretty much the only environmental down sides.
Image from: jaysautoservices.ca Info from: http://www.livestrong.com