Solar and the Environment

We have dedicated a section of our website to promote and educate the public about environmental issues and information. We hope that you take away simple ideas to make your daily life greener and encourage others to follow your lead. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment, our people, and our planet.

Riding your bike to work, taking public transportation at least once a week prevents hundreds of pounds of gas emissions from entering into the atmosphere.

The Positive Environmental Impact of Solar
If a renewable energy source such as solar power was used to power one million homes, it would have the same effect on the environment as removing 850,000 cars from the road because it would reduce CO2 emissions by 4.3 million tons per year. (Source: EPA).

Renewable solar energy is advantageous for the environment because:

¨ No moving parts to wear out.

¨ No contribution to smog, acid rain or global warming.

¨ The CO2 “footprint” or the CO2 generated by the manufacture and recycling of PV panels account for only 15% of the CO2 from coal-fired electrical generation.

¨ Renewable solar power leaves the air as it is, contributing no carbon, or other air pollutants, as does burning coal, gas or oil (the fuel source for 70% of US electric generation).

¨ No pollution of water resources.

¨ No noise.

¨ It leaves the rivers alone to run freely, with nothing blocked or drowned, unlike hydroelectric plants (7% of US electric generation).

¨ It does not use a lot of land, since it is usually mounted on top of buildings.

¨ The fuel supply is unlimited. The sunshine will not diminish its supply by using it, unlike the fuels that supply 98% of the electricity you buy.

¨ The power is delivered to the production point by the sun, and its production is local to where it will be used, unlike the centralized system we have now.

Step It Up and Step Down Your Impact

It's the little things that make the biggest differences. When it comes to the environment, simple lifestyle changes significantly reduce your impact on our climate. Let's work together to save the planet. Here are a few ways you can reduce your impact and green up your life!

#1: Go Solar!
One hour of sunlight can meet the world's energy demand for an entire year. A typical solar system in California offsets over 600,000 barrels of oil and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 425 million pounds during its lifetime.

#2: Adjust your thermostat.
Moving your thermostat down just two degrees in winter and up to two degrees in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year in addition to savings on your utility bills.

#3: Change your light bulbs.
Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light (CFLs) will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

#4: Buy fresh. Buy local.
Buying food from local farmers and businesses helps the local economy, decreases transportation costs, and tastes good too!

#5: Install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
This can reduce your home water consumption and heating usage by as much as 50 percent!