Does the power source create greenhouse gases?

Answer 1

We can start with the composition of the sun. If there is C, and O in its composition, then it is possible it combines to create CO2. (see below for the composition) Now at the temperature at which the sun is, will the CO2 remain as such or will the atoms recombine into something else, I cannot answer. My answer so far only answers positively the question: CAN the sun emit carbon dioxide. From another site: Astronomers study the spectrum of the Sun to determine it's chemical composition. In the visible region alone, from 4000 to 7000 angstroms (10-10 meters), there are thousands of absorption lines in the solar spectrum. These lines have been cataloged, and tell us that there are 67 chemical elements identified in the Sun. There are probably even more elements in the Sun that are present in such a small amount that our instruments can't detect them. Here is a table of the 10 most common elements in the Sun: {| ! Element ! Abundance (% of total ! ! Abundance ! ! number of atoms) ! ! (% of total mass) | Hydrogen 91.2 71.0 Helium 8.7 27.1 Oxygen 0.078 0.97 Carbon 0.043 0.40 Nitrogen 0.0088 0.096 Silicon 0.0045 0.099 Magnesium 0.0038 0.076 Neon 0.0035 0.058 Iron 0.030 0.014 Sulfur 0.015 0.040 You see that hydrogen is by far the most abundant element in the Sun, followed by helium. Those two together make up 99.9 percent by number of the total atoms in the Sun! This is also what we find in the composition of the Universe as a whole. |} We can start with the composition of the sun. If there is C, and O in its composition, then it is possible it combines to create CO2. (see below for the composition) Now at the temperature at which the sun is, will the CO2 remain as such or will the atoms recombine into something else, I cannot answer. My answer so far only answers positively the question: CAN the sun emit carbon dioxide. From another site: Astronomers study the spectrum of the Sun to determine it's chemical composition. In the visible region alone, from 4000 to 7000 angstroms (10-10 meters), there are thousands of absorption lines in the solar spectrum. These lines have been cataloged, and tell us that there are 67 chemical elements identified in the Sun. There are probably even more elements in the Sun that are present in such a small amount that our instruments can't detect them. Here is a table of the 10 most common elements in the Sun: {| ! Element ! Abundance (% of total ! ! Abundance ! ! number of atoms) ! ! (% of total mass) | Hydrogen 91.2 71.0 Helium 8.7 27.1 Oxygen 0.078 0.97 Carbon 0.043 0.40 Nitrogen 0.0088 0.096 Silicon 0.0045 0.099 Magnesium 0.0038 0.076 Neon 0.0035 0.058 Iron 0.030 0.014 Sulfur 0.015 0.040 You see that hydrogen is by far the most abundant element in the Sun, followed by helium. Those two together make up 99.9 percent by number of the total atoms in the Sun! This is also what we find in the composition of the Universe as a whole. |}

Answer 2

Solar panels on your roof do not emit greenhouse gases. They are clean and green, turning sunlight into electricity and saving greenhouse gases from being produced by coal and oil-burning power stations.

However, in the production of solar cells, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) is used. NF3 is a greenhouse gas 17,000 time more damaging to the environment then carbon. Some of this gas escapes into the atmosphere. One study suggests that its global warming effect is counteracted by the first few months of the solar panels reducing carbon dioxide.

Answer 3

Yes, it can. Fossil fuels convert long sequestered carbon into CO2, a greenhouse gas. However, many power sources do NOT create greenhouse gasses. Nuclear energy produces only the gas created by the fuel spent mining and processing the ore--a minimal amount. Hydroelectricity generates only the initial gas used to make the cement to build a dam. No greenhouse gasses are created spinning hydroelectric turbines. Solar power produces no greenhouse gas, although solar does slightly increase earth's albedo. Wind energy creates no greenhouse gas.

Hydrogen fuel cells may produce a LOT of greenhouse gas, depending on the source of the hydrogen. If you are burning fuel to crack water, a lot of CO2 is a byproduct. Cracking methane (CH4) for hydrogen (H2) is even worse--that carbon tends to be liberated as CO or CO2.

Answer 4

None of the renewable energy sources generate greenhouse gases when they are up and running.

• solar
• hydro
• wind
• wave
• tidal
• geothermal
• geofuel and geomass*

They would all have a carbon footprint from their production and distribution. This is soon be offset by the clean electricity they generate.

*geofuel and geomass release carbon dioxide (CO2), but it is CO2 that has been taken from the atmosphere recently, in the same growing season, so it is part of the carbon cycle. Fossil fuels release CO2 that has been hidden away for millions of years. That's why fossil fuels are the problem.

Answer 5

No. Solar panels produce electricity from the sun without any greenhouse gas emissions. (Their construction and installation is responsible for some emissions, but these are cancelled out by the clean electricity of the first few months.)

Answer 6

No. Solar panels on your roof do not emit greenhouse gases. They are clean and green, turning sunlight into electricity and saving greenhouse gases from being produced by coal and oil-burning power...

Answer 7

They do not.