Solar Power and Climate Change: How Can Solar Energy Help Solve the Climate Crisis?

Over the past few decades, greenhouse gas emissions have dramatically increased worldwide, causing climate change that endangers lives and property as well as entire ecosystems. But making the switch to using solar power instead of fossil fuels has the potential to greatly reduce these harmful emissions, which can help us to turn the tide against climate change.

Currently, the sectors that produce the most greenhouse gases include electric power, transportation, commercial and residential consumption, and agricultural consumption. Scientists agree that if these spheres are able to make considerable jumps in clean energy by applying more solar technology, it could directly benefit the environment. It won't be able to reduce all of the greenhouse gas emissions to zero, but solar energy can be a crucial component to curb emissions and achieve climate goals.

• In the electricity sector, the U.S. now has more than 121 gigawatts of solar electric capacity installed throughout the nation. This is enough power to keep the lights on in 23.3 million homes while offsetting more than 130 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
• In the transportation sector, electric vehicles are becoming a more popular option, and solar power has become an increasingly important component of how those vehicles get their electricity. This can help the average American family reduce their carbon footprint even further!
• The industrial sector can use solar energy in the manufacturing process instead of using fossil fuels. This can lower the carbon footprint of the industry immensely.
• Integrating solar panels into commercial and residential properties can not only save money on heating and electricity but generate power more efficiently. This means that there's the potential to be able to sell excess power back to the grid, which is profitable and also replaces fossil fuels that would otherwise be used to create that power for other homes and businesses.

Solar power is a solution to the question of how to curb the impact of emissions on the climate. It can also contribute to the resilience and reliability of utility grids, making us better prepared for large-scale power outages caused by the natural disasters that climate change contributes to.