The world requires energy services to meet human needs such as lighting, cooking, and communication. The use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas has been the dominate energy supplier globally. These fossil fuels have lead to a rapid growth in carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions resulting from the provision of energy services have contributed to the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. This negative externality has led to the demand for energy and energy services that would meet social and economic development and also improve human health and welfare.
There are multiple alternatives that can be applied in order to lower GHG emissions from the energy systems while simultaneously meeting the global demand for energy services. These options include renewable energy technologies for example, solar energy (solar PV), wind energy, bioenergy, and hydropower.
The following section will discuss solar PV technology and its impact on global climate change.
The next section will discuss the carbon footprint of solar PV technology from electricity generation.
Solar PV’s Carbon Footprint from Electricity Generation
The last section will discuss solar PV technology versus other renewable technologies, focusing on their influence on global climate change and environmental impacts.
Solar PV vs. Renewable Technologies
Author: Hannah Goldstein
Editor: Rick Cerretani
Source:
IPCC (2011): Summary for Policymakers. “IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation.” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA.