| The current push towards green energy has solar | | | | plant produces a low amount of ground pollution |
| panels at the forefront and the argument is that | | | | from a technical point of view. As far as individual |
| they do not harm the environment like coal, gas, | | | | panels go they produce no ground pollution as |
| nuclear, and oil plants do. But do solar panels harm | | | | they are mounted on your home. So essentially |
| the environment just as much or even worse | | | | they produce no pollution when in operation; |
| than the methods that they are replacing? This is | | | | however they do produce pollution when |
| a tough question to answer and in reality it can | | | | manufactured. |
| only be debated. | | | | Like everything else a solar panel needs to be |
| No one is willing to seriously look at the question | | | | made in a factory and the process of forging the |
| without fear of being accused of hating the | | | | panels creates pollution. A majority of factories |
| environment. However this is a legitimate question | | | | are powered by dirty power plants therefore |
| and it deserves to be answered. In order to go | | | | solar panels have already generated coal, oil, or |
| about answering this question we have to look at | | | | gas pollution for the time that it took to make |
| some pretty complicated concepts. First of all let's | | | | them. Add into account the packaging that was |
| establish what the old style power plants do to | | | | also made in a factory as well as any other |
| harm the environment. | | | | material production and you have pollution directly |
| Aside from nuclear waste nuclear power plants | | | | related to the panel. |
| don't pollute as much as other power plants. | | | | Then you have to factor in the pollution |
| However coal, oil, and even natural gas still | | | | generated by the trucks and planes that get the |
| generate air and water pollution in various degrees | | | | panels to the stores for selling and you have even |
| with natural gas being the cleanest of the group. | | | | more pollution to heap onto the panel. After all is |
| This is why solar panels and solar power plants | | | | said and done and you've considered all that goes |
| became the highlight of activity when it was | | | | into making and transporting solar panels then you |
| announced that they were finally practical for | | | | have a significant amount of pollution. However it |
| everyday use. | | | | is lower than the operation of a coal plant for 10 |
| The main attraction to solar power is that it | | | | years. |
| generates no air or water pollution to speak of. | | | | So are solar panels harmful to the environment? |
| There's no environmental contamination if there's | | | | The answer is technically a yes. While they |
| an accident and there's very little risk of the plant | | | | produce no pollution while generating power the |
| exploding. Ground pollution is virtually none as far | | | | initial manufacturing and delivery pollution is still |
| as power generation is concerned but there is a | | | | significant. However most panels will operate for 5 |
| basic amount of pollution for the plant itself. Every | | | | to 15 years which offsets the pollution they |
| building ever built requires that a certain amount | | | | generate when they're made. Regardless the |
| of grass land or other natural terrain be removed | | | | argument is still a very hot and heavily debated |
| for its construction. | | | | topic amongst people on both sides of the |
| Therefore every building, even a solar power | | | | argument. |