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henxan
- 46
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If one is trying to reduce Earth mean temperature, why not cover it with aluminum foil?
:D
:D
henxan said:could not solar panels lead to global warming?
DaveC426913 said:Of ocurse they would. They're black. The whole point of solar panels is to capture energy. That energy will contribute to the heat of the Earth somewhere along the line.
But this is the case with every power source. What is the point you're making?henxan said:Then the question is: does the fact that solar panels make electricity trump the negative effect given their contributing to global warming? :)
You could measure the amount of electricity that the panels generate, determine how much CO2 would be release when generatnig the same amount of electricity by burning coal in a power plant, which is about 2.095 lbs/kWh. Then you can compare how much heat is trapped by a solar panel in the act of generating 1 kWhr to the amount of heat that is trapped by the greenhouse effect of 2.095 lbs of CO2.DaveC426913 said:I think I am getting your point. Solar panels trap energy; whereas not having them would mean that energy would (to some extent) be reflected by lighter objects.
What I'm not sure about is how you propose to "value" the generation of electricity against the heat it produces. They're apples and oranges, and you're talking like they have the same measurement unit: "outeweighs" or "trumps".
I agree that it's something worth considering, I just don't think it's particular to solar energy. All energy sources must have their cost/benefit ratio considered.
henxan said:This is no straightforward task. Remember tvp45, the entire clue to solving this problem is not the energy, but the composition of the energy ranging the scale... So one needs accurate data over a wide range of wavelengths. For both sand and solar panels.
Increasing Earth's reflection, also known as albedo, is important because it helps regulate the planet's temperature and prevent global warming. When more sunlight is reflected back into space, less heat is trapped in the atmosphere, resulting in a cooler planet.
There are several ways to increase Earth's reflection, including planting more trees and vegetation, using reflective materials on buildings and roads, and reducing air pollution. These measures can help increase the planet's albedo and reflect more sunlight back into space.
Yes, it is possible to increase Earth's reflection too much. While a higher albedo can help regulate the planet's temperature, too much reflection can also have negative effects. It can lead to a cooler climate, which can disrupt ecosystems and agriculture, and even contribute to global cooling.
If Earth's reflection is not increased, more sunlight will be absorbed by the planet, leading to higher temperatures and potentially more extreme weather events. This can also contribute to the melting of polar ice caps and sea level rise, which can have devastating effects on coastal communities.
Increasing Earth's reflection is one piece of the puzzle when it comes to mitigating climate change. It can help reduce the planet's temperature in the short term, but it is not a permanent solution. Other measures, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, are also necessary to effectively address the issue of climate change in the long term.