Looking for a service that provides a viable return on investment whilst limiting your environmental impact? Using solar energy systems reduces our reliance on fossil fuels; enables businesses the opportunity to minimise overheads and see substantial savings on energy expenses; and provides three major environmental benefits in reducing water pollution, air pollution and damage to the natural environment.
Coal and natural gas thermoelectric plants -Australia’s two primary fossil fuel energy producers- use vast amounts of water for cooling and to power steam-run turbines. Statistics by World Water Day shows that coal power plants globally use enough water to sustain one billion people – a number which will double if all the proposed coal power plants come online. Coal mining and coal energy plants produce a multitude of hazardous by-products – for example, thermal pollution which is caused by water at extreme temperatures being released back into natural waterways, disrupting the temperature balance and killing organisms. Topsoil contaminated by toxic residues is also washed into streams and soaked into the earth causing chemical contamination of waterways and ground water. Utilising renewables such as solar energy will provide much needed water to communities, and prevent habitat disruption through thermal pollution and contamination.
Fossil Fuel power stations are large emitters of CO2 emissions. According to the 2013/2014 Clean Energy Regulator report 29% of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions are produced by coal power plants. Greenhouse gas emissions significantly reduce air quality and increase the occurrence of extreme weather conditions as well as exacerbating global warming. No emissions or other air pollutants are created in solar power production; meaning cleaner air, a reduction in resulting health issues, and a more balanced climate.
In Australia strip mining makes up 80% of coal mines. This involves stripping the natural landscape of trees, plants, and topsoil to access the coal – destroying fragile ecosystems, impacting biodiversity and leaving little chance of recovery. Furthermore, coal power plants produce high volumes of hazardous waste such as coal ash, boiler slag, and flue-gas desulphurization products which are often released back into water ways or dumped. Solar energy requires little change to the natural environment and releases no toxic by-products into the natural environment.
Solar energy shouldn’t just be our future, it should also be our present. Making the switch is better for the environment, our health, and helps you save on your energy expenses. Our smart solar monitoring systems allow our users to track savings, monitor usage, and plan for increased usage. With 24 hour access this system makes forecasting future energy costs simple!
Contact us to discuss our Solar Energy solutions further.
