Solana has emerged as a viable alternative to a host of blockchains. In fact, the network is not only efficient when it comes to conducting transactions but is also greener than web browsing giant Google, at least according to a recent report.
At a time when the carbon footprint of Proof-of-Work (PoW) based assets has come under scanner, Solanas latest Energy Use Report for November 2021 demonstrates a brand new trend taking shape that pushes towards a greener crypto sphere.
Solana Vs. Google: Which Ones Greener？
According to the report, the Solana Foundation determined that a single Solana transaction takes 0.00051 kWh or 1,836 Joules of energy. To put things into perspective, the report presented a myriad of activities that consumes more energy. For instance, a single Google search reportedly consumes around 1,080 Joules. Meaning, two Google searches would consume more energy than one transaction on the Solana network.
It does not end there. Transaction on Solana also requires 24 times less energy than charging a mobile phone. It is also less energy exhausting than keeping an LED light bulb on for one hour, which consumes around 36,000 Joules, as well as working for an hour with a computer and monitor, which takes around 46,800 Joules.
Whats even more interesting is that the entire Solana network only uses around 3,186,000 kWh per year. This is equivalent to the average electricity usage of 986 households in the USA.
Solana Vows Reduce Carbon Footprint
Meanwhile, leaders around the world are bickering about global efforts to minimize carbon emissions. For the cryptocurrency sector, the Solana Foundation appears to be keen on working towards carbon neutrality.
As such, the organization has vowed to reduce the SOL ecosystem‘s environmental effects even further. Its plans for the remainder of 2021 include the introduction of a program to assist in making Solana’s validator network carbon neutral and offset the footprint of the ecosystem.
In addition to these steps, the foundation also revealed that it would release reports on the projects energy stats periodically. In a nutshell, Solana appears as the faster and less energy-hungry alternative to Ethereum, which has been riddled with high gas fees and an electricity bill that burns a big hole in the pocket. The race is now towards merging efficiency and eco-friendly tech.
However, Solana is not the only one that is putting tremendous effort into going green. From prominent blockchain firm Ripple to Avalanche and Neon Labs, several platforms are working towards becoming energy-efficient.