# Solar heat collectors: Impact on the biosphere

One of the lightest footprints in all of energy

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/biosphere/

What this tab covers Effects on human, animal, plant, fungal and microbial life and on whole ecosystems: in the short term (construction and early years), medium term (operating life) and long term (decommissioning and legacy).

Solar heat has one of the smallest environmental footprints of any energy technology: it sits on existing roofs, uses common materials and burns no fuel. Its main benefit is replacing fuel and electricity for water heating.
 Greenhouse gases avoided by the world fleet about 153.5 Mt CO2e a year (2024)^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) Emissions avoided per unit of heat about 350 kg CO2e per MWh (calculated from 153.5 Mt and 443 TWh)^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) Deaths per TWh No figure found^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf)

#### Effects over time

| Life affected | Short term | Medium term | Long term |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Humans**^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) | Falls during rooftop installation. | Replaces gas, coal, wood or electric water heating, cutting fuel use and the associated air pollution. | Little evidence of effect; collectors are mostly glass and metal. |
| **Animals**^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) | Little evidence of effect for rooftop systems. | Little evidence of effect. | Little evidence of effect. |
| **Plants**^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) | Ground-mounted fields clear vegetation; otherwise little evidence of effect. | Little evidence of effect. | Little evidence of effect. |
| **Fungi and soil life**^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) | Little evidence of effect. | Little evidence of effect. | Little evidence of effect. |
| **Ecosystems**^[3](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) | Little evidence of effect. | The world fleet avoids about 153.5 million tonnes of CO2e a year. | Little evidence of effect. |

#### How the effects are reduced

Quality labels such as Solar Keymark set standards for durability and safe installation. Thermostatic mixing valves prevent scalding, and keeping stored water hot enough controls Legionella bacteria. Placing collectors on roofs rather than open land avoids almost all ecological impact.

#### Sources

1. [Solar market trends in a nutshell (Solar Heat Worldwide 2025 webinar, M. Spork-Dur, 24 June 2025)](https://iea-shc.org/Data/Sites/1/media/events/webinars/2025-06-24/m.spork-dur--solar-market-trends-in-a-nutshell.pdf) IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme / AEE INTEC, 2025

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/correlation/index.md)
- [Efficiency](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/efficiency/index.md)
- [Techniques](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/techniques/index.md)
- [Resources and labour](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/resources/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_solar_heat/links/index.md)