On from our previous post about the disadvantages of solar energy, I’d like to point out that solar energy has many advantages. The use of solar energy results in a decreased use of non- renewable energy sources and a reduction in pollution. Solar energy has low maintenance costs and is convenient in isolated and remote locations. The untapped potential of using photovoltaic power is great.
It’s important to discuss the prospect of solar energy as many western nations are feeling the crippling effect of energy prices and shortages. Here’s why we should consider using solar power.
Less Pollution
Photovoltaic cells produce virtually zero pollution during a typical lifetime of use, which can be 30 years or more. Pollution is only created from solar cells during production and when solar cells no longer function and cannot be fixed. These problems can be remedied by using existing pollution controls in the factories manufacturing the photovoltaic cells and by recycling old solar panels.
Abundance of the Sun’s Energy
Sunlight is free and abundant. The sun provides approximately 6000 times more energy than is used by humans on earth. Unlike fossil fuels that will be exhausted in the foreseeable future, possibly within the next 40-70 years, sunlight will continue to exist for the next 2-4 billion years. Transitioning to renewable energy sources now will spare society from facing the impending fuel crisis.
Little Maintenance Required for Panels
Once solar panels are installed, relatively little maintenance is needed. The use of solar panels is especially important in places that are isolated and where grid connection is impossible or unreliable. Some examples of off-grid (stand-alone) solar power are island communities, ships, space craft/satellites, and places, such as Uganda, where electricity is not reliable. Eagles Wings Children’s Village, an orphanage in Uganda, has solar panels on its dining hut to power their refrigerator when the power goes off, sometimes for several days at a time. Prior to the installation of this solar panel, when the power went out, whatever was in the fridge had to be immediately cooked and eaten as no one knew when the electricity would go on again.
For more information read this PDF on some commonly ask questions about solar panels and their low maintenance.
Great Advances in Efficiency
Solar cells, notorius for their poor solar energy conversion efficiency have been improving very much over the years. The power produced by solar cells has increased over 40% since the invention of photovoltaic cells while the cost of solar panels is steadily decreasing due to more cost-efficient production methods. Furthermore, the money spent on research into solar power is much less than what has been spent to develop other power sources. It is easy to see that solar energy has much untapped potential.
Naturally, Solar Energy is the Main Source
The sun is the source of all energy in the world, excluding geothermal and nuclear energies. Even hydro and wind power are due to the effects of the sun’s energy on the earth. The sun not only sustains life on this planet but is also the source for future renewable energy.
Related Sites
Related Posts
- How Solar Power Panels Work
- The Basics About Solar Power Panels
- Common Uses of Solar Energy in Modern Homes
- Solar Electricity: How it’s Made, How to Use It
- Sustainable Methods for Electricity Generation
- Cons of Solar Energy
- What is Renewable Energy?
- About Solar Energy & How It’s Harnessed
February 1st, 2009 at 10:38 pm
We’ve been thinking about getting solar panels installed in our home. We like to think the benefits of solar energy as being a lazy man’s alternative to saving the environment.
It’ll be good to see how they go, considering how far the technology has progressed.
February 1st, 2009 at 10:40 pm
That’s good – I bet they’ll do you just fine in saving the planet. I’m sure they go a fair way to decreasing your energy costs too.
May 13th, 2009 at 3:35 am
[...] sun produces more than enough energy to warm the planet and meet the world’s energy needs – and still have enough left over to [...]
May 16th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Solar energy Is the energy of future. As it is a non-conventional and unlimited source of energy, and due to its easy availability it is really easy to harness it. Thought the initial cost may be a bit too high but in a long term there are many advantages. We get a clean environment and electricity for free from the sun. Research is going on to increase the overall efficiency of these devices and probably in 5-10 years it will become quite common in developed as well as developing countries. Though it exists today also but for only small operations due to its high initial cost and installation. The overall cost will come down in future when it becomes quite common.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:11 am
topic:advantages of solar energy
there is a great use through solar energy. mainly it is very useful to human being. through solar energy we can gain the ‘D’ vitamin it is very necessary for our health. its reduces the pollution also. solar energy has a low maintenance cost. if we use solar system in cellphones$lights then we should save the power. sunlight is most necessary for plants growth$ for sustaining of any animal / tree / /birds or whatever it maybe.
August 7th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Solar energy is really a boon to human beings. By using solar energy we can save lot electricity which can be used for other purposes. So solar energy is really a vital factor and a very good replacement for electricity too.
August 7th, 2009 at 8:09 am
This solar energy is really a fantastic and natural option and replacement for electricity. It could help in big cost cutting factors. So solar energy is the future of the world.
August 7th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Most of the people in our country do not know the advantage of solar energy. It is a big source of power .If each house make one solar panal they can use it or minimum 2 to 3 lights in there home.and if the are having more space to keep the solar system that will full fill their consumption of power.Even we can drive our car with solar energy.
August 9th, 2009 at 3:50 am
solar energy is a very good source of renewable energy.This has a variety of advantages over other sources of energy.It reduces the pollution and is highly cost effective.