2 4 metric tons of co2 produced by the average uk household s electricity consumption completely switching to using solar panels to produce green electricity instead would be the equivalent of planting more than 9 trees a year.
Carbon footprint of producing solar panels.
The energy saving trust says a typical home solar pv system could save around 1 3 to 1 6 tonnes of carbon per year depending on.
Although the use of solar panels is green many solar panel manufacturing processes are not.
For instance concentrated solar power csp has a footprint of 20 grams of carbon dioxide co2 per kilowatt hour kwh of electricity produced in addition to consuming vast amounts.
Firstly the extraction of quartz the crystalline form of silicon and of the other materials necessary for the construction of the panels.
To create a solar panel caustic materials will emit greenhouse gases.
Another benefit is that you will be reducing your carbon footprint.