Pros and Cons of Solar Energy: Is the Sun that Good Heat Source?
The interest in solar energy production has been drastically growing the recent years since the issue of climate change is getting to a critical point. More and more people go green, and solar energy by default sounds like a better option over fossil fuels, burning of which is accompanied by a great carbon dioxide emission. However, is solar energy an ideal option? Since nothing is perfect under the sun, let us consider the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy in order to find out whether the benefits of solar energy outweigh its minuses. This information will be useful for those who are considering solar energy heating for their houses, as well as for students who are searching for the modern argumentative essay topics and materials. The latter can use the points below as an outline, and a well-structured essay can be made up by an essay writer for cheap.
Advantages of Solar Energy
- It Is Renewable
In comparison to fossil fuels, solar energy will never run out. According to the Siddharth Singh’s research in Business Standard, natural gas has a high probability of running out in 54 years, coal in 110 years, and oil in 53 years and this is pretty much close. Well, one of the curious facts about solar energy is that NASA claims that the sun is likely to shine 6.5 billions of years more before it explodes. However, after the sun stops shining, the absence of electricity will be our least problem.
- There Is Enough of It
The potential of solar energy is huge: the Earth’s surface gets 120 thousands of terawatts of solar energy and this is 20 thousand times more than it really needs.
- It Is Stable
Solar energy cannot run out, and it is always available so that it is impossible to overuse it. Thus, even the future generation will never lack it as well.
- It Is Available
Solar energy is available to anyone on the Earth, and not only the equatorial zone can enjoy solar energy advantages. Well, northern and equatorial zones do not get it in the same amounts, but still. One of the solar energy facts which makes northern inhabitants optimistic is that Germany is currently occupying the first place in the world in using it: both active and passive solar energy.
Thanks to the sun shining for everyone, it can be used in the places where there is no electricity at all. You may have heard in solar energy news that solar energy can be used for desalination of water in Africa, or even for the energy supply for satellites on the Earth’s orbit.
- It Makes You Autonomous
Due to solar energy usage, one can become completely autonomous. Solar energy cost is majorly a one-time payment for the equipment, and that equipment makes it possible for the house to completely heat itself as well as provide the needed amount of electricity.
- It Is Ecological
Using solar energy is one of the best ways to prevent global warming. Manufacturing, transportation, setting, and using solar power stations do not cause any harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Even if there are some slight emissions, they are nothing if to compare them with the effect of fossil fuels burning.
- Generating Is Noise-Free
The generating of solar energy is completely noise-free based on the architecture of the systems.
- It Is Economical
The cost of solar energy is low taking into account the fact that all one pays for is equipment. Having set your housework on solar energy only, you may forget about bills for electricity at all! Moreover, the facts that maintenance of solar panels is minimal (one just needs to clean them a few times a year) and a 20-25 years warranty from the panels’ manufacturer contribute to the pros of solar energy greatly.
- It Gets Better Every Day
Every year, the development of technology opens new opportunities for solar energy generating. There are special mini solar modules which are added to building materials. There are solar energy facts that claim that Japan scientists at the Sharp Company have developed transparent elements which can be added into window glass. Achievements in nanotechnology and quantum physics will soon make it possible to increase the capacity of solar panels by three times.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
Besides the positive features, there are some cons of solar energy as well, and those are the explanation why solar energy has not replaced fossil fuels completely so far in commerce, as well as in private houses.
- High Price
Indeed, the equipment to heat a house with the help of solar energy is quite expensive. However, developed countries understand solar energy pros and cons, and they do their best to eliminate this disadvantage offering good loan and leasing conditions. For the citizens of countries with no such governmental programs, it will take long years to at least reach the break-even.
- Daytime Dependence, Seasonal Dependence
How does solar energy work? Obviously, solar panels are able to generate energy (and, thus, heat), only during the daytime. If you need to provide your house with electricity during the night (we bet you need), you will need expensive accumulators with lower service life. However, this is still possible, so this point can be included both in the pros and cons of solar energy. Moreover, one does not consume a lot of energy at night, and that makes the issue easier.
In most countries, the production of solar energy in winter is significantly lower due to the short daytime duration. Moreover, solar panels will have significantly reduced productivity in the areas where the cloudy or rainy weather is prevalent.
- Pollution of the Environment
Even though solar energy definition claims that it is the most eco-friendly one, there are some details one may not know about. Solar energy companies which manufacture solar panels still emit harmful substances into the atmosphere. Those emissions are extremely low in comparison to other energy sources production, but still, we cannot tell that solar energy is completely eco.
- Expensive and Rare Components Usage
The production of solar panels requires the usage of rare and, thus, expensive elements (CdTe or CIGS). This increases the overall cost of solar energy equipment.
- Low Density of Capacity
This point can be considered the biggest issue among solar energy disadvantages. The capacity density is defined by the amount of energy that can be produced by a certain unit of area. Solar radiation has the capacity of density that is 170 Watt per square meter, making it possible to produce 1 kilowatt of energy using not less than around 6 square meters of panels (and that is in case it is a sunny day at winter, making the productivity of panels close to the maximum). In order for the family to live comfortably in a house, 10 kilowatts of energy are needed, and that is quite a lot.
Most people are not really asking “what is solar energy?” They are rather interested in whether solar energy can help them heat their houses effectively. Well, now you are aware of all the details, so you know that the reasonability of autonomous solar energy production depends on the region you are living in, its climatic conditions, the size of your house, the area that you can afford to be covered with panels, and your personal aims as well as life philosophy. A specific analysis as per your particular situation can be prepared by an essay writer for cheap, so do not hesitate to search for help from experts!
