For a long time it was thought that the Agriculture held the key to ending the biggest energy problem renewable. However, a lie has been exposed that represents a revolution in the ecological world. In fact, the sector of this type of energy in our country is going through a bad time. Spain is seeing a trend it previously bragged about in the fall.
In an age of constant change, it is difficult to find lasting solutions to pollution problems. Over time, various practices have been implemented to harness energy and convert it into the supply necessary for a better quality of life.
However, growing technology and the advent of new projects show that some initiatives that previously seemed perfect to alleviate certain problems have now become problems that need to be solved or pose limitations.
One case concerns the B-side of solar parks. They may not be as sustainable as we previously thought. In this specialized article we will tell you everything you need to know about this.
Agriculture seemed to be the answer, but sustainable energy seems to be taking a different path
During the COP28 by Dubai In 2023, the commitment was made to end fossil fuels by mid-century, with particular attention paid to the need to triple the capacity of renewable energy, such as solar, by 2030.
This resource, essential for the Paris Agreement, shows environmental challenges despite its benefits. The history of solar energy, from its discovery to its current efficiency, highlights its potential and the challenges of its expansion. The impact of panel production and macro solar farms on the environment and global climate requires careful planning and management.
Solar energy, a highly valued green alternative to fossil fuels, has undergone a marked evolution since its use up to the present day. The first solar cell was created in 1883 Charles Fritsdespite converting 1% of sunlight into electricity.
However, this was the starting point of a series of innovations that would change the way we capture energy from the sun.
By the mid-20th century the work of Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller j Gerald Pearson in Bell Laboratories It set a precedent by creating silicon cells with an efficiency of 6%. Currently, solar panels achieve an efficiency of almost 20%, a significant victory when we consider that the efficiency of photosynthesis in many plants does not exceed 2%.
These advances in efficiency have made solar photovoltaics the third largest source of renewable energy in the world. The only ones that surpass this are hydropower and wind energy. Although electricity currently represents 4.5% of global electricity production, its progress is exponential.
It represented an increase of 26% in 2022 compared to the previous year. The projection for 2050 is that solar energy could produce a quarter of the world’s electricity, according to information from the International Energy Agency.
For these reasons, agriculture does not have the supremacy of renewable energy sources
Despite the improvement, solar energy production continues to have an impact on the environment during its production. The production of solar panels requires materials such as glass, copper, aluminum, silver, silicon, lead and, in the next generation of thin films, metals such as copper, indium, gallium, selenium, cadmium and tellurium.
These materials are responsible for 90% of the panels’ energy impact and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in addition to generating a significant amount of energy in their production.
On the other hand, the installation of solar farms also poses significant environmental challenges. Land preparation involves removing vegetation and altering the natural habitat.
A study has exposed the consequences of covering 20% of the desert Sahara with solar panels. His conclusion was alarming. It was warned that this could significantly change global weather patterns. Proper planning and control of solar energy installations is crucial to reduce their impact on the environment.
It seemed that the Agriculture was the solution for renewable, but it is becoming clear that not everything is rosy with solar parks. At the same time, new solutions are appearing on the market to make the energy transition effective. This is the case with the 140-year-old object that can produce electricity.