Solar Energy
In this rapidly growing world, where every country is suffering from the war of economy, energy production is an important factor in the growth of the world. Life is impossible without energy. Even human beings require energy for their physical health, called metabolic energy.
Energy is the animating force of modern society, powering everything from transportation and industry to homes and communication systems. Industries require energy to run the machinery, to manufacture the valuable products, and to transport these products.
A reliable source of energy is crucial for businesses to thrive and to expand the economy. Energy plays an important role in improving the quality of life, such as powering homes, providing lighting, heating, cooling, and cooking facilities. Even the things that make our lives convenient, such as electronic products also require energy.
Energy is also much needed in the medical field. For example, it is used for refrigerating vaccines and operating medical equipment. Energy also plays a critical role in agricultural fields like in irrigation of the crops, and farming with modern technology machinery.
What is solar energy and how does it work?
The sun is the biggest source of energy on the earth. Solar energy is the radiant energy emitted by the sun, which is harnessed and converted into usable forms of energy, such as electricity or heat. Then this electricity is used for different purposes such as in the industrial field, in homes, offices, and other fields like agriculture, education, and the medical field.
It is a renewable and sustainable source of energy that is abundant and freely available on the earth. Solar energy is free to use and anyone can use it for different purposes. It is a major component of the Global energy. Solar energy reduces the dependency on fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. It also solves the problems of climate change because it produces energy without any pollution.
Solar energy is captured by photovoltaic cells and converted to D.C current. Then this D.C. current is changed to A.C current with the help of an inverter. A.C. current is then used to run appliances in homes and other fields.
Historical Overview of Solar Energy
The use of solar energy dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. They built architectural structures with an orientation towards the sun to maximize natural light and warmth during colder months.
The ancient Greeks and Romans experimented with solar furnaces, using concave mirrors to focus sunlight and generate intense heat for various purposes, including metalworking and warfare.
In the late 19th century, solar water heating systems gained popularity in Europe and the United States. These systems utilized rooftop solar collectors to heat water for domestic and industrial use.
Photovoltaic Effect: The discovery of the photovoltaic effect, the process by which certain materials generate electricity when exposed to sunlight, laid the foundation for modern solar technology.
In 1839, French physicist Alexandre-Edmond Becquerel first observed this phenomenon, although practical applications would not emerge until much later.
First Solar Cell: In 1954, researchers at Bell Laboratories in the United States developed the first practical photovoltaic (PV) cell. This early solar cell, made from silicon, achieved an efficiency of around 6% and paved the way for the commercialization of solar technology.
In recent years, solar energy has experienced rapid growth and cost reductions, driven by technological advancements, economies of scale, and supportive government policies. Today, solar power is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity globally, with increasing adoption in residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications.
Advantages Of Solar Energy
All the countries in the world, are trying to find a cleaner, long-lasting, and renewable energy source. Solar energy is the best option because it brings a lot of benefits. Solar energy helps to protect the environment, saves money, and keeps our energy sources secure.
Not only does it create jobs but also lowers carbon emissions. It does not produce any greenhouse gases. Here are the following reasons why solar energy is a great option for powering our homes, businesses, and neighborhoods.
- Solar energy is a renewable source of energy
All other energy sources such as fossil fuels (coal, natural gas) and nuclear energy are not renewable. They cannot be used again once consumed. But solar energy is the only source of energy that is renewable and can be used again and again.
Fossil fuel energy requires huge effort, a lot of time, and expensive heavy machinery. But solar energy requires a little effort and we convert sunlight directly into electricity.
The sun will continue to shine for billions of years, providing a constant source of clean energy but fossil fuels are finite and will be wiped out one day. Solar energy is the best option for the world over all other resources.
- Solar energy reduces carbon emissions
Fossil fuels are a big reason for carbon emissions. These toxic gases pollute the environment and change the climate. The greenhouse effect is produced when carbon gases exceed the normal value, and this results in an increase of the temperature. But solar energy is free from carbon emissions.
That’s why it produces energy without polluting the environment. It’s an eco-friendly source of energy. Fossil Fuels also pollute the earth and water but solar energy systems just use a small piece of land and have no harmful effects.
According to IPCC reports, 75 percent of total carbon dioxide is emitted by fossil fuel combustion. Moreover, the report emphasizes the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources like solar power to mitigate climate change impacts.
According to the IEA, fossil fuels are the primary source for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. In contrast, renewable energy sources, including solar energy, offer a pathway to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainable energy transitions.
- Solar energy reduces your home’s electricity costs.
the cost of solar energy is very little. It requires only one time investment and then you can use solar energy for a lifetime. The average lifespan of a solar system is almost 25 years. Due to solar energy, you have to no longer depend on fossil fuel energy which costs very high. Thus, solar energy reduces home electricity bills. Even you can sell the electricity to your neighbors if you are the owner of a solar energy system.
- Benefits of Solar renewable energy credits
In certain regions, Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) are designed to increase solar energy production. Each SREC corresponds to one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from solar sources. Electricity suppliers purchase these certificates to meet their state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
Participating in the SREC market offers solar system owners an additional revenue stream. By selling their SRECs, they can earn income based on their system’s solar energy production. This creates a financial incentive for individuals and businesses to invest in solar energy systems, as they not only benefit from reduced electricity bills but also from the sale of SRECs.
The value of SRECs varies depending on factors such as market demand, state regulations, and the supply of solar energy in a given area. Overall, SRECs provide a mechanism to promote the adoption of solar energy while supporting renewable energy goals at the state level.
- Solar energy is abundant everywhere
Solar energy is present everywhere in the world. Different states have introduced new technologies to produce electricity from sunlight. Sun is a continuous source of energy production. We can make a large amount of electricity using a small amount of solar energy.
- Advancements in Solar Technology
In recent years, there have been significant advancements in solar technology. These advancements have focused on improving the efficiency of both solar panels and battery storage systems. Rhone Resch, President of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), notes the remarkable growth of the global photovoltaic (PV) sector, which has averaged over 40% growth in the past eight years. The continuous improvement in panel efficiency over the last decade is a promising trend, driving down costs and facilitating wider adoption. Now you can store electricity through batteries and use it at night.
Disadvantages of solar energy
Despite significant progress, solar energy still faces some challenges. Some drawbacks are the following:
- high initial installation costs
The initial investment for installing solar panels, storage batteries, inverters, and wires is very high. A normal person cannot afford to make this investment. Solar panels are very expensive and storage batteries are the most expensive thing in a solar system. Storage batteries provide the necessary electricity at night when there is no sunlight to produce electricity directly. The average price for solar batteries is around $10,000 to $15,000 without solar panels. The average prices for the complete solar panels is
Solar Panel Prices (per panel):
Standard Efficiency Panels: $150 – $300 per panel
High-efficiency panels (e.g., monocrystalline): $300 – $500 per panel
Complete Solar System Price (for typical residential installation):
Small System (1-2 kW): $3,000 – $6,000
Medium System (3-5 kW): $9,000–$15,000
Large System (6–10 kW): $18,000–$30,000
Very Large System (10+ kW): $30,000 – $50,000+
these prices are approximate and can vary based on factors such as location, quality of components, installation costs, and available incentives or rebates.
- Solar energy dependence on Sunlight
Solar energy is dependent on sunlight, so we can not produce electricity at night. We have to use batteries for extra storage, but this needs a large investment. Batteries are the most expensive parts of the solar system. Solar energy is also weather-dependent.
In bad weather, we can not produce electricity because, on cloudy days there is not enough sunlight to target the photovoltaic cells. In mountain areas where there is snow falling, we cannot produce electricity.
The countries that receive limited sunlight throughout the year cannot produce enough solar energy. They have to use alternative renewable resources like geothermal energy and hydroelectric power.
- Use of Land and waste of solar panels
One of the disadvantages of solar energy is that it uses large pieces of land.
Solar power plants are undeniably space-intensive. For instance, a solar facility designed to supply electricity to 1,000 homes would typically necessitate approximately 32 acres of land.
Scaling this up to meet the energy demands of the entire United States would require nearly 19 million acres, accounting for roughly 0.8% of the nation’s total land area. Here is a table showing the land usage for different solar systems.
| Solar System Size | Land Usage (square feet) | Land Usage (square meters) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1-2 kW) | 100 – 200 | 9 – 18 |
| Medium (3-5 kW) | 300 – 500 | 28 – 46 |
| Large (6-10 kW) | 600 – 1000 | 56 – 93 |
| Very Large (10+ kW) | 1000+ | 93+ |
Additionally, there’s a critical consideration regarding the management and disposal of hazardous materials integral to certain components of solar infrastructure.
Materials such as metals and glass, essential for constructing some solar components, undergo energy-intensive production processes, contributing to carbon emissions.
Furthermore, the manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels involves the use of hazardous chemicals and heavy metals. To mitigate environmental risks, meticulous management and disposal protocols must be implemented as these materials reach the end of a solar plant’s operational life.
Projections from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) indicate that by the year 2050, solar energy systems could potentially generate up to 78 million tonnes of waste. This underscores the importance of implementing effective waste management strategies to ensure the sustainability and environmental responsibility of solar energy infrastructure.
Should we move to solar energy systems or not?
Moving towards solar energy systems offers a chance to tackle environmental issues, lessen dependency on fossil fuels, and foster energy autonomy. Despite initial expenses, the long-term advantages of solar power, encompassing financial savings, ecological sustainability, and technological progress, render it a viable and increasingly appealing choice for individuals, enterprises, and communities globally.
