Solar farms have become increasingly popular as a source of renewable energy.
While they have many benefits, there are concerns about their environmental impact.
Many large solar installations, called solar farms, have been built in various countries to harness the sun’s renewable power.
Solar farms can cover areas varying in size, often requiring many acres of land.
According to a Solar Futures study, solar energy development could require up to 5.7 million acres of land, approximately 0.3% of the contiguous U.S., by 2035.
Studies have also found that solar farms can impact local wildlife, alter fragile ecosystems, and use sizable amounts of steel, glass, and concrete in their development.
Of course, fossil fuels like coal and oil have heavy pollution footprints as well.
As with any energy source, there are pros and cons to consider.
Disadvantages and Drawbacks of Solar Energy
Solar energy, despite its benefits, has several drawbacks impacting the environment:
Direct Sunlight Requirement: Solar energy primarily relies on direct sunlight. While photovoltaic systems can utilize indirect sunlight, they are less efficient in doing so.
Indirect sunlight, hindered by clouds, pollution, or dust, produces far less energy than direct sunlight.
Concentrated solar power systems, which focus sunlight to generate energy, are especially affected by this limitation.
Geographic Limitations: While places like California benefit from solar energy, installing solar systems in areas like Alaska or the North Pole is inefficient and wasteful.
High Upfront Costs: Solar energy systems have significant initial costs, encompassing manufacturing, transportation, and installation expenses. These costs can run into tens of thousands of dollars before users see any energy output.
Nighttime Operation: Photovoltaic systems don’t function at night. Although solar thermal systems can operate during the night if it’s warm, they aren’t as efficient. Solar batteries can store daytime energy for nighttime use, but they add to both the environmental and financial costs.
Space Requirements: Solar systems need considerable space. Regions with limited developmental land face challenges in deploying solar energy without repurposing existing land. Additionally, not all buildings can accommodate or support solar panels.
Maintenance and Vulnerability: Solar panels are susceptible to damage, which can severely affect their efficiency. While routine care can mitigate some issues, environmental threats like hail or strong winds pose significant risks.
Environmental Concerns: Solar panels contain hazardous materials like lead and cadmium. Disposing of these panels in landfills can result in environmental hazards if these toxins seep into the land and water.
Affected by Air Pollution: Solar panel efficiency can drop by 25% in areas with heavy air pollution. Contaminants, either from natural sources or urban areas, obstruct light, reducing the panels’ capacity to absorb it effectively.
Recycling Issue: When solar panels reach the end of their lifespan or get damaged, their disposal and recycling become important concerns.
As solar technology has gained prominence in recent years, the need for sustainable end-of-life management for panels will inevitably grow in the upcoming decades.
At present, solar panels can be treated like other electronic waste (e-waste) and be processed accordingly.
However, this is not the ideal long-term solution, given the unique materials and design of solar panels. Proper recycling can reclaim many valuable materials from old solar panels, such as silicon, metals, and glass.
Impact on Climate: A climate model study by researchers indicated that covering 20% of the Sahara with solar farms could raise local desert temperatures by 1.5 degrees Celsius.
At 50% coverage, the temperature increase could be 2.5 degrees Celsius. This warming effect could be spread globally through atmospheric and ocean movements, potentially affecting weather patterns elsewhere.
Impact on Water Resource: Solar PV cells do not use water for electricity generation, though some water is used to manufacture solar PV components.
On the other hand, CSP plants, like all thermal electric plants, require water for cooling. The water use depends on the plant’s design, location, and the type of cooling system.
CSP plants with wet-recirculating technology withdraw between 600 and 650 gallons of water per megawatt-hour of electricity produced.
Ways To Reduce The Environmental Impact Of Solar Energy
To mitigate these negative effects, several strategies can be implemented:
Strategic Location Selection: Prioritize locations with high quantities of direct sunlight, such as deserts, which minimizes impact on flora and fauna due to their already sparse vegetation and wildlife.
Utilizing Affected Land: Develop solar energy systems on land already affected by human intervention or pollution. Although this poses health and safety risks for the staff, the environmental impact is minimal due to the pre-existing lack of wildlife and vegetation.
Residential Installations: Installing solar energy systems on residential buildings minimizes the ecological impact. However, removing vegetation may be necessary for sunlight access, and installations should focus on sturdy roofs or large non-porous lands.
