Fact Check: Is Going Solar Toxic To The Environment?
“Going solar is a scam that is insanely toxic to the environment,” a statement on a Twitter post with over 160 views shared with us via WhatsApp reads.
The statement is patently false. First, solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source generated from the sun with a low environmental impact, according to National Geographic.
According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), solar energy is one of the cleanest and most renewable sources of energy. It does not emit any of the air pollutants or greenhouse gases associated with burning fossil fuels, such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Furthermore, solar energy does not require any water to generate electricity, so it does not contribute to water pollution.
The United Nations states in an article that solar energy reduces the need for electricity generated from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas. This reduces the amount of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions released into the atmosphere. Solar energy can also be used to help conserve water because it does not require any water to generate electricity, meaning it’s crucial for mitigating climate change by reducing CO2 emissions and air pollution.
According to an article published in the United States’ National Library for Medicine, the production and maintenance of solar panels pose a low environmental and health risk, and this can be avoided by proper disposal of solar cells that have reached the end of their service life in order not to harm the environment.
Once installed, solar panels don’t release any pollutants. Additionally, they require very little upkeep, which reduces their lifetime environmental impact.
“The production of solar panels necessitates the use of hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic.” The amount of these materials used in solar panels, however, is very small, and they are recycled or disposed of properly at the end of their life,” according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Verdict
The claim that “going solar” is a scam that is insanely toxic to the environment is unfounded. Solar energy is a clean and renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainability.
This fact-check was produced by the Debunk Media Initiative with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck, the International Fact-Checking Network, and the African Fact-Checking Alliance network.
