Solar energy is one of the most important sources of environmentally safe, permanent natural renewable energy,, which is not exhaustible, and found alongside hydroelectric power, wind energy, ocean wave energy and biomass.
Solar energy can only be utilized during periods of sunlight, so its systems remain shut down in the evening and on most days during winter. This drawback makes this energy unstable for many.
In this blog, we will explore the benefits and drawbacks of solar energy. Let’s read this to the end!
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Energy
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| Solar Energy: Benefits and Drawbacks |
Solar Energy – An Overview
Solar energy is
the solar radiation emitted by the sun that produces heat and leads
to chemical reactions.
the solar radiation emitted by the sun that produces heat and leads
to chemical reactions.
Solar energy is one of the most important sources of
permanent natural
renewable energy, which is not exhaustible, and found alongside wind
energy, hydroelectric power, sea wave energy, and biomass. It can be exploited
in many fields by converting it to other forms of energy such as thermal and
electrical energy.
permanent natural
renewable energy, which is not exhaustible, and found alongside wind
energy, hydroelectric power, sea wave energy, and biomass. It can be exploited
in many fields by converting it to other forms of energy such as thermal and
electrical energy.
The amount of solar energy falling on Earth is far greater than
the current and future energy requirements of the Earth, so if this energy is
used well, it will be able to meet all future energy needs.
the current and future energy requirements of the Earth, so if this energy is
used well, it will be able to meet all future energy needs.
Solar energy is not as polluting to the environment as fossil
fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas.
fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas.
The amount of solar radiation falling on the
surface of the Earth is small compared to the amount of radiation that the sun
emits towards the Earth, where the atmosphere reflects a large proportion of
the rays before they enter the inner atmosphere.
surface of the Earth is small compared to the amount of radiation that the sun
emits towards the Earth, where the atmosphere reflects a large proportion of
the rays before they enter the inner atmosphere.
The oceans and clouds contribute to the absorption of a large
amount of other falling solar radiation.
amount of other falling solar radiation.
The remainder is used to convert solar energy to other forms of
energy, and the incident solar radiation is divided into visible light by about
50%, infrared radiation by 45%, and small amounts of ultraviolet
radiation.
energy, and the incident solar radiation is divided into visible light by about
50%, infrared radiation by 45%, and small amounts of ultraviolet
radiation.
In this article, we will discuss, what are the benefits and
drawbacks of solar energy.
drawbacks of solar energy.
The
Uses of Solar Energy
The usefulness of the sun and solar energy for humans is well
known. Solar energy has been used since ancient times in its direct form
in many applications, the most famous of these applications are drying crops,
heating homes.
known. Solar energy has been used since ancient times in its direct form
in many applications, the most famous of these applications are drying crops,
heating homes.
There are many historical sources that confirmed that sunlight was
used by Archimedes to burn Rome’s war fleet in the war of 212 BC and pointed
out that Archimedes managed to focus the sunlight on the ships of the enemies
by shedding many metal shields towards these ships.
used by Archimedes to burn Rome’s war fleet in the war of 212 BC and pointed
out that Archimedes managed to focus the sunlight on the ships of the enemies
by shedding many metal shields towards these ships.
Sunlight has also been used to set fire to many civilizations and
peoples. The most important uses of solar energy may include:
peoples. The most important uses of solar energy may include:
Electric
Power Generation
Solar energy and solar radiation can be used to produce electrical
energy by solar cells (photovoltaics). These
cells generate a small voltage when exposed to direct sunlight.
energy by solar cells (photovoltaics). These
cells generate a small voltage when exposed to direct sunlight.
Solar cells contain semiconducting materials (such as silicon)
that convert the sun’s light energy into electrical energy.
that convert the sun’s light energy into electrical energy.
A single solar cell can generate only 2 watts of electricity,
collecting more than one solar cell in groups called matrices, capable of
generating hundreds or even thousands of kilowatts of electricity to power
factories and provide communities with electricity.
collecting more than one solar cell in groups called matrices, capable of
generating hundreds or even thousands of kilowatts of electricity to power
factories and provide communities with electricity.
Thermal Power Generation
The thermal power station is one of the most common areas for the
exploitation of solar energy to convert it to a source of thermal energy.
exploitation of solar energy to convert it to a source of thermal energy.
This process is carried out by placing a set of solar panels
containing a black metal layer, covered with one or two glass plates, which are
heated when exposed to direct sunlight.
containing a black metal layer, covered with one or two glass plates, which are
heated when exposed to direct sunlight.
The heat stored in the black metallic layer is transferred to the
contact medium below, whether air or water, which is used directly or may be
transferred to another medium for storage and use at night and in periods of
absence of sunlight.
contact medium below, whether air or water, which is used directly or may be
transferred to another medium for storage and use at night and in periods of
absence of sunlight.
The resulting heat energy is used in solar water heaters and
central heating in homes when hot water flows into the heating pipes of floors
and ceilings.
central heating in homes when hot water flows into the heating pipes of floors
and ceilings.
Solar-Powered Desalination
The researchers have developed a solar water desalination system
using nanotechnology.
using nanotechnology.
Water is desalinated by separating the stream of cold water and
hot water with a thin membrane.
hot water with a thin membrane.
The water vapor is drawn through this membrane from the hot to the
cold side and the salt particles dissolved in it are filtered.
cold side and the salt particles dissolved in it are filtered.
The system was developed by adding more membranes and nano-carbon
nanoparticles that convert the energy of sunlight into heat, which also heats
the separating membrane, so this membrane does not require more constant
supplies of hot water.
nanoparticles that convert the energy of sunlight into heat, which also heats
the separating membrane, so this membrane does not require more constant
supplies of hot water.
The membrane is heated directly by sunlight, and no energy is
required to heat the water.
required to heat the water.
The entire system is a key energy-saving system that relies on the
presence of solar panels.
presence of solar panels.
It only needs a pump to drive liquid water through the process,
and the system administrators were able to increase its efficiency by
increasing the concentration of sunlight. They used a lens to concentrate solar
radiation 25 times.
and the system administrators were able to increase its efficiency by
increasing the concentration of sunlight. They used a lens to concentrate solar
radiation 25 times.
The resulting power reached 17.5 kW per square meter of
concentrated solar radiation, thus increasing water production by about six
liters per square meter per hour.
concentrated solar radiation, thus increasing water production by about six
liters per square meter per hour.
Other
Important Uses: Solar
energy is sometimes used to produce clean and renewable hydrogen, which is very
similar to the principle of photosynthesis, in which oxygen is separated from
hydrogen in water.
Important Uses: Solar
energy is sometimes used to produce clean and renewable hydrogen, which is very
similar to the principle of photosynthesis, in which oxygen is separated from
hydrogen in water.
Benefits
of Solar Energy
The importance of solar energy lies in the possibility of
exploiting and converting it into electric or thermal energy, as it can be used
in many other fields.
exploiting and converting it into electric or thermal energy, as it can be used
in many other fields.
Here are the most important general benefits of solar
energy:
energy:
⇒Solar energy is
a permanent source of energy which is not exhaustible and found alongside
hydroelectric power, wind energy, and sea wave energy.
a permanent source of energy which is not exhaustible and found alongside
hydroelectric power, wind energy, and sea wave energy.
⇒Solar energy
can be exploited as a natural alternative to generating electricity, and
therefore can be completely dispensed with electricity companies, and stop
paying the burdensome electrical bills to human budgets and organizations.
can be exploited as a natural alternative to generating electricity, and
therefore can be completely dispensed with electricity companies, and stop
paying the burdensome electrical bills to human budgets and organizations.
⇒Solar energy is
an environmentally safe source. It is also environmentally friendly energy that
does not cause any form of air pollution.
an environmentally safe source. It is also environmentally friendly energy that
does not cause any form of air pollution.
⇒Solar energy is
used as a fuel for cars. People have created cars that run on sunlight energy,
instead of consuming oil derivatives which increase the cost of commuting between
areas, reducing environmental
pollution and smoke from these fuels.
used as a fuel for cars. People have created cars that run on sunlight energy,
instead of consuming oil derivatives which increase the cost of commuting between
areas, reducing environmental
pollution and smoke from these fuels.
⇒Solar energy is
used to sterilize water and make it safe for drinking and human and
agricultural consumption.
used to sterilize water and make it safe for drinking and human and
agricultural consumption.
⇒Cooling and
heating systems are one of the most important ways in which this energy can be
exploited, providing hot water all the time, by placing solar panels or basins
on rooftops and homes on sunny days.
heating systems are one of the most important ways in which this energy can be
exploited, providing hot water all the time, by placing solar panels or basins
on rooftops and homes on sunny days.
⇒Solar energy is
highly available for long periods of time, reducing the number of lines
connected between buildings and the spread of poles on the roads.
highly available for long periods of time, reducing the number of lines
connected between buildings and the spread of poles on the roads.
⇒Solar energy
prevents pollution resulting from the use of industrial generators.
prevents pollution resulting from the use of industrial generators.
⇒Solar energy
prevents noise pollution as it does not produce any annoying sounds, nor does
it cause other environmental damage.
prevents noise pollution as it does not produce any annoying sounds, nor does
it cause other environmental damage.
⇒Solar energy
does not require constant efforts in maintenance and installation, as its
systems are durable and non-perishable.
does not require constant efforts in maintenance and installation, as its
systems are durable and non-perishable.
⇒The
technologies used in this type of renewable energy are relatively simple when
compared to those used in other energy sources such as wind energy.
technologies used in this type of renewable energy are relatively simple when
compared to those used in other energy sources such as wind energy.
⇒This energy
often doesn’t need a lot of moving pieces to produce. The production of this
energy does not require the use of any type of fuel, making it a low-cost
source.
often doesn’t need a lot of moving pieces to produce. The production of this
energy does not require the use of any type of fuel, making it a low-cost
source.
Did you know you could get a grant to cover the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Find a registered grant provider that can help you obtain solar panel grants for your home. Contact grant providers today and find out how they can assist in getting you a range of renewable energy grants.
Drawbacks of Solar Energy
There are some downsides to solar energy, including:
⇨Solar energy
can only be utilized during periods of sunlight, so its systems remain shut
down in the evening and on most days during winter.
can only be utilized during periods of sunlight, so its systems remain shut
down in the evening and on most days during winter.
⇨The lack of
solar energy throughout the day, and the presence or absence of solar energy
changes with the seasons of the year, making this source unstable for many.
solar energy throughout the day, and the presence or absence of solar energy
changes with the seasons of the year, making this source unstable for many.
⇨The high prices
of batteries used to store solar energy, and it is difficult to store this
energy without losing large quantities of them.
of batteries used to store solar energy, and it is difficult to store this
energy without losing large quantities of them.
⇨The high cost
of equipment that converts thermal energy from the sun to electrical or
electromagnetic energy, making it difficult for many to have such equipment.
of equipment that converts thermal energy from the sun to electrical or
electromagnetic energy, making it difficult for many to have such equipment.
⇨The cost of
building a solar system is almost expensive, but over long periods of use, this
energy is profitable.
building a solar system is almost expensive, but over long periods of use, this
energy is profitable.
⇨Care must be
taken to clean the solar energy on a continuous basis, to ensure its use, which
is a burden on the people who use it, as the accumulation of dust and dirt is
still present in the open areas.
taken to clean the solar energy on a continuous basis, to ensure its use, which
is a burden on the people who use it, as the accumulation of dust and dirt is
still present in the open areas.
⇨Solar energy
cannot be utilized in areas with a significant rainfall.
cannot be utilized in areas with a significant rainfall.
⇨The efficiency
of solar cells is estimated at only about 20%, although scientific studies and
research and development operations on the cells are still in place to raise
the efficiency rate.
of solar cells is estimated at only about 20%, although scientific studies and
research and development operations on the cells are still in place to raise
the efficiency rate.
How Much Solar Energy Hits the Earth’s
Surface?
The amount of energy and solar radiation falling on the planet’s
outer envelope is estimated at 174 million beta watts each year, 30% of which
is reflected by the atmosphere, and the remaining energy is absorbed by oceans,
landmasses and the atmosphere, leading to global
warming.
outer envelope is estimated at 174 million beta watts each year, 30% of which
is reflected by the atmosphere, and the remaining energy is absorbed by oceans,
landmasses and the atmosphere, leading to global
warming.
As in the oceans, where the ocean water evaporates as a result of
warming water to form water vapor that rises up, low temperatures to condense
and falls in the form of rain.
warming water to form water vapor that rises up, low temperatures to condense
and falls in the form of rain.
Increasing the latent heat of the water condensation process can
lead to heat transfer, which forms a variety of atmospheric phenomena such as
hurricanes and winds.
lead to heat transfer, which forms a variety of atmospheric phenomena such as
hurricanes and winds.
Solar energy plays a key role in photosynthesis in green plants,
which consume around 3,000 joules of solar energy per year, by converting solar
energy into chemical energy, producing food, wood, and biomass from which
fossil fuels are extracted.
which consume around 3,000 joules of solar energy per year, by converting solar
energy into chemical energy, producing food, wood, and biomass from which
fossil fuels are extracted.
It should be noted that the cost of installing solar power systems
such as solar panels, solar heaters, cooling, and air conditioning systems and
others, is rather high, however, it lasts for a very long time to many
years, in some cases more than twenty-five years.