Solar energy is generated through the photovoltaic effect, which produces electricity without emitting CO2. In the past, the sustainability of solar energy systems was questioned due to the high energy required for their production. However, significant improvements have been made in production processes.
We now know that the energy needed to produce a solar cell is recovered in just 1.5 years. This means that after this time, the plant has generated enough electricity to offset the energy used in its production. Moreover, solar plants are highly durable, as demonstrated by the example of Weissfluhjoch. They have an average lifespan of 30 years and can generate up to 15-20 times the energy required for production.