When we use solar energy, we are capturing solar energy, which otherwise would had been reflected back from earth. Does this not mean that harnessing solar energy is contributing to Global warming
>When we use solar energy, we are capturing solar energy, which otherwise would had been reflected back
depends on what surface th elight hits, if on dark soil, 100% might be absorbed and not reflected back. So this effect is probably small compared to the benefit of reducing CO2 emissions.
Solar panels are not that efficient. They reflect a certain amount of light, so there is a question as to how much they are contributing to heating. Plants use solar energy for
photosynthesis, and reflect some light back in the form of green light, or red light depending on the chemistry of photosynthesis they use. Luckily plants absorb CO2 so their net effect is reduced or they too would add to global heating.
It is not heating that is the problem, it is retention of heat, greenhouse gasses retain the heat in the atmosphere and this is why we have climate changes from greenhouse gasses.
It will be interesting to consider earth as thermodynamic system. There is energy input by way of solar irradiation and output as heat reflected and radiated.
By using solar energy there is reduction in reflected energy. Capturing solar energy for further utilisation for human needs does not contribute much to temperature rise and radiation component is also proportionately lesser resulting in overall gain in energy content of earth system.
I do not want to criticise use of Solar energy but proper study need to be carried out to understand if there exist any pitfalls in future when solar energy is harnesses in large extent.
Burning Fosile fuels we are using what earth has already captured whereas harnessing solar energy we are increasing total energy content of earth.
Comparative study between biological capturing of solar energy and through solar panels should also be investigated.
Dear respected Nandan Bhandari,
I don't think utilization of solar energy can lead to global warming rather it would reduce global warming. Utilization of the solar energy would convert the solar energy to another form of energy which minimize the heat contain in the atmosphere. If the energy converter transform the solar energy to heat, this may increase the heat contain of the atmosphere which eventually
elevate the temperature of the atmosphere.
Best regards.
Kifilideen.
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