Solar power is demonstrably good for the environment because it provides a clean, renewable source of energy, significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the harmful environmental impacts associated with their extraction, processing, and combustion. . Solar energy technologies and power plants do not produce air pollution or greenhouse gases when operating. Using solar energy can have a positive, indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have larger effects on the environment. But exactly how is generating energy from solar panels better than burning fossil fuels? In this article, we'll look at five distinct environmental benefits of replacing. . There are two main types of solar energy technologies—photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). On this page you'll find resources to learn what solar energy is; how you, your business, or your community can go solar; and find resources for every step of the way. By examining both the positives and the challenges, we can arrive at a clearer picture of the. .