What is the carbon footprint of energy generation and how will solar energy contribute to environmental conservation?
The total CO2 emissions for the year 2021-22(electricity demand 1748 TWh) and 2026-27(2335 TWh) are estimated at 983 million tonnes and 1165 Million tonnes respectively. A 'carbon footprint' is the total amount of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, emitted over the full life cycle of a process or product. It is expressed as grams of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt hour of generation (gCO2eq/kWh), which accounts for the different global warming effects of other greenhouse gases. Fossil fuels and biomass have the four highest carbon footprints. Per kWh produced, oil emits 970, coal 820, natural gas 490, and biomass 230 or 740 grams of carbon dioxide on a life-cycle basis. They directly contribute to climate change and have various negative environmental effects. The major contributors to carbon footprints are: food, consumption, transportation, and household energy. Food is a major contributor to carbon footprints, and meat in particular is an issue. Livestock is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and beef is one of the biggest contributors. The use of solar energy reduces the amount of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide (SO2) which contributes to two– third of the acidic rain and greenhouse effect. Acidic rain harms the soil and vegetation, kills organisms living in the land and water and reduces the productivity of the soils. Installing a battery storage system can make your solar panels more sustainable and efficient. This system will provide backup power when there isn't enough sunlight to generate electricity from photovoltaic cells. SunPower and SolarWorld are two top US-based solar panel manufacturers and produce some of the greenest solar panels available to US customers. They follow specific standards for ensuring their products are environmentally friendly and are working to continuously mitigate their carbon footprint. As a renewable source of power, solar energy has an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which is critical to protecting humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Solar energy can also improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production.