Most of us don’t have that sort of acreage to devote to reforestation. We do, however, have roofs upon which we can mount solar panels and help reduce our carbon footprint that way.





Solar Basics – Environmental Benefits

The Big Picture
Solar power systems silently generate clean energy from the sun. When you install solar, you help to combat greenhouse gas emissions and global warming and reduce our collective dependence on fossil fuel.
Our Local Energy Dilemma
Electricity in the United States is generated from various types of power plants, the most common being coal, natural gas and hydroelectricity. Although we rely heavily on hydroelectric power in the state of Washington, there are a finite number of water sources that can be used to create this power. This means any additional demand for power will most likely be met by burning fossil fuels. Every kilowatt-hour generated by a coal-fired power station produces approximately 1.5 lbs of carbon emissions.(1) Every kilowatt-hour we can produce using solar power means 1.5 lbs less of carbon going into our atmosphere.

Some Numbers
An average 3KW residential solar power system will reduce the carbon output by 40.5 tons of CO2 over a 15 year span.

To help put that into perspective, that amount of CO2 is equivalent to: 1
Driving an additional 73,800 miles
Flying an additional 84,000 miles

To offset the amount of CO2 a 3KW solar system saves would require you to plant 202 trees each year.(2)

Trees are nature’s way of absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it for later use. It is a great system. Unfortunately, we are simultaneously reducing the number of trees available to act as carbon sinks, and also pumping more carbon into the air than nature has historically had to deal with. While most of us don’t have necessary acreage to devote to reforestation 202 trees, we do have roofs upon which we can mount solar panels and help reduce our carbon footprint that way.

Government Support for Solar Energy

The current trend in our country is toward generating energy using renewable resources. The Environmental Protection Agency is working toward promoting the use of ‘green power,’ stating that: “Electricity generation from the combustion of fossil fuels contributes toward unhealthy air quality, acid rain, and global climate change.”(3) The US Department of Energy has launched a solar program based on their findings that solar technologies “diversify the energy supply, reduce the country's dependence on imported fuels, improve air quality, and offset greenhouse gas emissions. A growing solar industry also stimulates our economy by creating jobs in solar manufacturing and installation.”(4) It certainly seems clear that now is the time to strive for change.

1) Carbonify
2) Trees for the Future
3) Environmental Protection Agengy
4) US Department of Energy



“The bluest skies you’ve ever seen are in Seattle.” –Perry Como