{"id":23355,"date":"2025-12-15T16:05:41","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/is-solar-energy-renewable\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T21:30:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:30:43","slug":"is-solar-energy-renewable","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/is-solar-energy-renewable\/","title":{"rendered":"Just How Renewable is Solar Energy? Examining this Clean Power Source"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.chariot-article {\n  max-width: 800px;\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  padding: 40px;\n  font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 18px;\n  line-height: 1.8;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h1 {\n  font-size: 2.5em;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  line-height: 1.2;\n  margin: 0 0 30px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article h2 {\n  font-size: 1.8em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.3;\n  margin: 50px 0 20px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n  border-bottom: 2px solid #f7931e;\n  padding-bottom: 10px;\n}\n.chariot-article h3 {\n  font-size: 1.4em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.4;\n  margin: 40px 0 15px 0;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h4 {\n  font-size: 1.2em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  margin: 30px 0 10px 0;\n  color: #444;\n}\n.chariot-article p {\n  margin: 0 0 20px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article img {\n  max-width: 100%;\n  height: auto;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  display: block;\n}\n.chariot-article figure {\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article figcaption {\n  font-size: 0.9em;\n  color: #666;\n  text-align: center;\n  margin-top: 10px;\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article ul, .chariot-article ol {\n  margin: 20px 0 20px 30px;\n  padding: 0;\n}\n.chariot-article li {\n  margin-bottom: 12px;\n  line-height: 1.6;\n}\n.chariot-article a {\n  color: #f7931e;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;\n  transition: border-color 0.2s;\n}\n.chariot-article a:hover {\n  border-bottom-color: #f7931e;\n}\n.chariot-article blockquote {\n  border-left: 4px solid #f7931e;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  padding: 20px 30px;\n  background: #f9f9f9;\n  font-style: italic;\n  color: #555;\n}\n.chariot-article strong {\n  font-weight: 600;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article em {\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article hr {\n  border: none;\n  border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n  margin: 40px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article table {\n  width: 100%;\n  border-collapse: collapse;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article th, .chariot-article td {\n  padding: 12px 15px;\n  text-align: left;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n}\n.chariot-article th {\n  background: #f5f5f5;\n  font-weight: 600;\n}\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n  .chariot-article {\n    padding: 20px;\n    font-size: 16px;\n  }\n  .chariot-article h1 { font-size: 2em; }\n  .chariot-article h2 { font-size: 1.5em; }\n  .chariot-article h3 { font-size: 1.25em; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"chariot-article\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" alt=\"Kids playing in the grass and enjoying the outdoors\" class=\"wp-image-1414\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"859\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/solar-renewable-1-1.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>In any given hour, the sun sends down enough energy in the form of to power our entire planet for a whole year.<sup>1<\/sup> And since NASA expects the sun to be around for another 4.5 billion years, Earth will enjoy plenty of sunlight for a long, long, long time. <\/p>\n<p>Because solar can quickly be regenerated and is literally always available without needing eons of production time (hello fossil fuels!), <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/what-is-solar-energy\/\">solar energy<\/a> is renewable by every possible traditional definition. In fact, it\u2019s the fastest growing renewable energy source in the market today in terms of acceptance, technology, and electricity generating capacity.<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>However, some environmental and sustainability advocates express concerns about the expansion of the solar power industry. Specifically, they have issues with the materials and processes involved in the creation of the solar panel technology used to generate electricity. <\/p>\n<p>Our goal with this article is to make the case that solar power truly is renewable energy by facing those constructive criticisms head-on. Because if we\u2019re going to combat climate change, decrease global warming, and reduce our <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/carbon-footprint\/\">carbon footprint<\/a> by decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, the solar industry has to be a committed leader. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Renewable Energy?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"Cluster of wind turbines\" class=\"wp-image-1415\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/solar-renewable-2-1.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wind power is an excellent form of renewable energy.<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height:30px\"><\/div>\n<p>Renewable energy is any source of energy that can be replenished quickly and in a consistent fashion.<sup>3<\/sup> Some definitions will add caveats such as \u201cwithin the average lifespan of a human\u201d to increase the distinction between renewables and fossil fuels, which can only be replenished across countless millennia.<sup>4<\/sup> <\/p>\n<p>Green energy is a subcategory of <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/clean-energy\/\">clean energy<\/a>, and it\u2019s also the most well-known. Per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, green energy both come from natural means and also create little-to-no harm to nature. This includes hydropower, biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Solar Power?<\/h2>\n<p>We gave our preferred solar energy definition in our \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/what-is-solar-energy\/\">What is Solar Energy?<\/a>\u201d article: any electricity generated using the sun in any capacity can be considered solar power. It all comes down to how you harness the sun\u2019s energy \u2014 streamed to Earth as packets of light called photons \u2014 to create electricity that we then use to power our homes and businesses. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two Sources of Solar Power<\/h3>\n<p>The solar industry has developed two methods for converting sunlight to generate electricity: solar photovoltaic cells and concentrated solar power<sup>5<\/sup>. Let\u2019s explore each method a bit to better understand how they contribute to making solar energy renewable. <\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Photovoltaic Cells<\/h4>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"Photovoltaic solar panels above a body of water\" class=\"wp-image-1253\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1035\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/photovoltaic-panels-resized.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photovoltaic solar panels are Chariot\u2019s bread and butter!<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height:30px\"><\/div>\n<p>The most common form of solar power, these solar cells make up the panels you see affixed to residential and commercial rooftops. When the photons in sunlight the solar panels, these semiconductors use electrons to create electrical currents.<sup>6<\/sup> With this technology, you can power your home or business directly without relying solely upon the electricity grid. <\/p>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Concentrated Solar Power<\/h4>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A concentrating solar power (CSP) plant\" class=\"wp-image-1252\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"792\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/concentrating-solar-power-plant.jpg\" width=\"1408\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: Department of Energy<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height:30px\"><\/div>\n<p>You\u2019ve probably seen a version of this technology if you\u2019ve ever driven across West Texas and the American Southwest. With extraction method via solar power plant, large scale arrays of mirrors collect and then direct the sun\u2019s rays to a central location \u2014 hence, the \u201cconcentration.\u201d From there, the highly targeted sunlight heats up water to create steam that spins turbines to create electricity.<sup>7<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>In the case of both methods, solar energy is proven to be firmly in the renewables camp because it actively takes advantage of the constant presence of the sun during daylight hours. Sunlight constantly regenerates \u2014 no matter how rainy and cloudy it might be in your neck of the woods on any given day \u2014 which means solar energy encourages us to use the power of the sun to power our world.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two Chief Criticisms of Solar Energy as Renewable Energy<\/h2>\n<p>Since the process of creating electricity via solar systems doesn\u2019t create any emissions in the form of <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/greenhouse-gases\/\">greenhouse gases<\/a>, you\u2019d think most people regard solar energy as really green and eco-friendly. And you\u2019d be right. Most of the time. In truth, some environmental advocates have shown concern about the processes involved in creating the actual solar panels.<sup>8<\/sup> They rightly worry that the environmental impact of developing the technology might outweigh the green <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/solar-energy-pros-and-cons\/\">benefits of solar energy<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>We want to address the two biggest issues head-on, because we do believe that solar energy systems are both renewable and the future of the entire energy industry.<sup>9<\/sup><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Collecting the Materials<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"quartz crystal on a black background\" class=\"wp-image-1411\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1440\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/solar-pros-cons-4.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Quartz is a major source of silicon, the active ingredient in photovoltaic solar panels.<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height:30px\"><\/div>\n<p>Solar panels are conventionally made with quartz, a very common mineral found in watches, home countertops, and industrial architecture around the world. Once mined, this substance can be converted into the silicon used to create the semiconductors in solar panels. Which means, as more solar panels are created, we need more quartz.<\/p>\n<p>The problem is the mining for quartz entails many of the same issues environmentalists have with mining in general. Not only does it destroy the surrounding terrain, but it also uses lots and lots of water, and miners can contract silicosis from too much exposure to the silica dust mining produces. In response, companies like Chariot Energy have transitioned to using quartz-dense sand to reduce the impact of mining.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Assembling the Panels<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Photovoltaic solar panels being installed on a utility-scale solar farm\" class=\"wp-image-1249\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1295\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/solar-panel-installation-resized.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An installation of PV solar panels on a roof<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height:30px\"><\/div>\n<p>Once you have access to silicon without heavy mining, you still need to create high-quality silicon capable of capturing sunlight with maximum efficiency.<sup>10<\/sup>  The problem here is that, historically, the process of creating polysilicon produces silicon tetrachloride. This byproduct creates harmful fumes and soil acidification.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, the solar energy industry has leaped to the challenge of ensuring their technology is sustainable and green. Processes have been developed to convert silicon tetrachloride into more polysilicon. Additionally, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (part of the U.S. Department of Energy) are investigating ways to develop polysilicon and other forms of silicone that can be used in solar panels without ever creating silicon tetrachloride.<sup>4<\/sup> <\/p>\n<p>One more issue awaits us when making solar panels even more eco-friendly. Once the polysilicon is shaped into individual solar panels, hydrofluoric acid (and other chemicals) are used to maximize light intake. But it\u2019s not this formation process that\u2019s the problem \u2014 it\u2019s the potential for environmental damage if the chemicals aren\u2019t disposed of correctly. <\/p>\n<p>In response to these concerns, solar panel manufacturers are adopting safer alternatives like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and zinc sulfide. The goal is to ensure that solar panel technology represents the pinnacle of renewable energy industry by making it as green as possible at every stage of the product.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Solar Energy Can Become Even More Renewable and Eco-Friendly<\/h2>\n<p>At its root, solar energy technology willingly and intentionally embraces the tenets of renewable energy. By developing solar panel technology that lasts for 30 years on average and pays back installment investment in a third of that time, the industry showcases its commitment to sustainable resources. And it literally uses the sun, the most renewable of all our planet\u2019s natural resources! <\/p>\n<p>But solar energy advocates can do even more by taking a few simple steps to ensure it can be as environmentally responsible as possible:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For every tree pruned back or removed for a rooftop solar project, plant another one.<\/li>\n<li> Invest in eco-friendly products in the offices of solar panel companies.<\/li>\n<li> Engage in environmental activism outside of the solar energy industry.<\/li>\n<li> Ensure that any and all utility-level solar installations pay attention to the local environment so indigenous flora and fauna are not harmed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The solar energy industry must align its efforts with the worldwide environmental movement if we truly want to make a difference, especially regarding climate change and global warming. The crisis is real, and we can\u2019t combat its effects without developing long-term solutions that reject the fossil fuel status quo. <\/p>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\" style=\"height:100px\"><\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>Sources<\/strong>: <\/p>\n<p>[1] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrel.gov\/research\/re-solar.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.nrel.gov\/research\/re-solar.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[2] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucsusa.org\/resources\/how-solar-energy-works\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.ucsusa.org\/resources\/how-solar-energy-works<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[3] <a href=\"https:\/\/news.energysage.com\/solar-energy-renewable-nonrenewable\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/news.energysage.com\/solar-energy-renewable-nonrenewable\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[4] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/stories\/renewable-energy-clean-facts\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.nrdc.org\/stories\/renewable-energy-clean-facts<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[5] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irena.org\/solar\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.irena.org\/solar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[6] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seia.org\/initiatives\/about-solar-energy\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.seia.org\/initiatives\/about-solar-energy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[7] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seia.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.seia.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[8] <a href=\"https:\/\/news.energysage.com\/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-solar-energy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/news.energysage.com\/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-solar-energy\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[9] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/solar\/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/energyexplained\/solar\/solar-energy-and-the-environment.php<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[10] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrel.gov\/pv\/silicon-materials-devices-rd.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.nrel.gov\/pv\/silicon-materials-devices-rd.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Solar energy is touted as a renewable energy source, but it is important to understand why it is renewable and just how renewable it is. Click to learn more!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":23468,"parent":627,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23355","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23355\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}