What is the environmental impact of solar?

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Using national average emission factors, every megawatt-hour of electricity generated through a solar PV panel avoids more than 1,300 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO2), more than 5 lbs of sulfur dioxide (SO2), and almost 2 lbs of nitrogen oxide (NOx), and it also avoids producing radioactive nuclear wastes.

In 2015, an average Renewable Energy Design Group residential installation eliminated 238 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) over the life time of the system. That is equivalent to:

  • Planting 5,554 Trees
  • Driving reduced by 476,667 miles or 24,310 gallons of gasoline
  • Recycling 753 tons of waste instead of sending it to the landfill
  • 232,237 pounds ( or 118 tons) of coal burned