At a time when climate change and environmental degradation have become major concerns across the globe, the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy is being increasingly felt. Amidst several options that have come to the fore, solar energy and coal remain two of the most discussed sources of power. Coal has been the main source of energy for many centuries, while solar energy is gradually becoming a popular option. But is solar energy really better than coal? Now, let’s look at each of these two options from a perspective on their environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.
Environmental Impact
One of the biggest advantages of solar energy over coal is its environmental impact. Coal is indeed a fossil fuel, meaning that its extraction and use emit considerable amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Combusting coal is among the highest causes of global warming, since in the process, not only is CO2 emitted but also other dangerous pollutants like SO2, NOx, and particulate matter. These all have a very deleterious effect on both human health and the environment.
By contrast, solar energy is clean and renewable. Solar panels harness energy from the sun, a process that at operation does not emit any pollutants. The only potential environmental impacts regarding solar energy arise in its production and its disposal, both of which are negligible compared to the continuous pollution from coal.
Cost-Effectiveness
Coal has been conventionally viewed as a very cheap and dependable fuel. The mining and combustion of coal are fairly cheap. It, therefore, has been an economic fuel for most countries, especially for those with vast deposits of the resource. However, all that said about the cost of coal is not true since the damages to the environment, health costs, and other sustainability concerns have not been included in the final price of this fuel.
On the other hand, solar energy has seen drastic reductions in costs over the last decade. Solar panels have fallen dramatically in price, and thus are increasingly more feasible for homeowners, businesses, and governments to invest in. Moreover, operational costs of solar energy are pretty low since sunlight is free, and maintenance costs of solar panels are minimal. In the long term, solar energy saves money since coal extraction, transportation, and burning costs are variable and carbon emissions have an increasing price.
Sustainability
Solar energy is inherently sustainable. The sun provides, in essence, an unlimited supply of energy, and solar panels can capture this energy for many years, with the typical lifespan being 25 to 30 years. As technology has been progressing, solar energy systems are becoming more efficient, which means that more power is produced with fewer panels.
However, coal is a non-renewable resource that will be totally depleted at one point. Coal mining carries significant environmental costs associated with habitat destruction, water, and soil erosion. Finally, the continued combustion of coal is adding to the use up of the natural resources of the planet and hence it is not a sustainable option in the long run.
Conclusion
Coal has served well as a source of energy for many years, but from the point of view of environmental, economic, and sustainability challenges, it is not quite a valid choice for the future. Solar energy presents a cleaner, more sustainable, and increasingly cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels. Transitioning to solar power reins in the terrible effects of climate change, guarantees energy independence, and preserves a livable environment for generations to come. Hence, solar energy is the unarguably superior alternative over coal for any sustainable and ecological future.
