Solar electricity has many environmental benefits. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says “Using solar energy to replace the use of traditional fossil fuel energy sources can prevent the release of pollutants into the atmosphere.”
Most electricity in the United States is produced from “dirty” fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas. When power plants turn these fossil fuels into electricity for your home, they pollute our air by releasing nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, radioactive materials, and heavy metals like mercury. Power plants also contaminate soil and water and increase greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2006, U.S. power plants released 2.7 billion tons of C)2, 10.5 million tons of SO2, and 4.2 million tons of nitrogen oxides – not to mention soot, smoke, dust and dirt.
SWITCHING TO SOLAR POWER MEANS YOU ARE DOING YOUR PART.
Using solar power from your own roof reduces the amount of “brown power” that utility company’s produce, which means fewer emissions, less pollution, and a cleaner environment.
Installing a home solar system is like planting almost 200 trees or taking about 10 cars off of the road.