Solar Energy-The new Energy Powerhouse –The Panagora Blog:

Solar Energy-The new Energy Powerhouse –The Panagora Blog:

Solar energy is derived from the sun’s radiation and thus termed a renewable energy source. The sun is a powerful energy source and this energy source can be harnessed by semiconductor photovoltaic (pv) devices commonly called solar panels. It is said that the solar irradiation for just one hour could meet global energy needs for one year. However, only a minute percentage (about 0.001) of that energy has been harnessed successfully.

While some people view solar energy as clean/eco-friendly and sustainable, qualities that have made it a trending topic in the renewables space, others see it as an expensive and weather-dependent energy.  This renewable is not an exception to the various technologies with pros and cons. To help consumers make better decisions about the value of solar energy, the following are some of the pros and cons associated with solar energy:

 Solar Energy Benefits:

1.        Renewable Energy Source

The most important benefit of solar energy is that it is a truly renewable energy source. It can be harnessed in all areas of the world and is available every day. Unlike some other sources of energy, it is difficult to run out of solar energy which is always available as long as we have the sun.

2.        Reduced Electricity Bills

Since you will be meeting some of your energy needs with the electricity your solar system has generated, your energy bills will drop.

3.        Diverse Applications

Solar energy can be used for diverse purposes. You can generate electricity (pv) or heat (solar thermal). Solar energy can be used to produce electricity in areas without access to the energy grid, to distill water in regions with limited clean water supplies and to power satellites in space, solar pumps are used for irrigation in farmlands, solar mills for food processing and cooling for storage among others. Solar energy can also be integrated into the materials used for buildings.

4.        Low Maintenance Costs

Solar energy systems generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. You only need to keep pv panels free from dust. Most reliable solar panel manufacturers offer 20-25 years warranty. Also, as there are no moving parts, there is no wear and tear. The energy storage device, battery, is usually the only part that needs to be changed after 4-10 years depending on the brand/function of number of cycles. Apart from the battery, the cables also need maintenance to ensure your solar power system runs at maximum efficiency. The inverter can only be considered for maintenance or replacement if it is not properly sized during solar system design. So, after covering the initial cost of the solar system, you can expect very little spending on maintenance and repair work.

5.        Technological Development

Technology in the solar power industry is constantly advancing and improvements will only intensify in the future. Innovations in quantum physics and nanotechnology can potentially increase the effectiveness of solar panels and double, or even triple, the electrical input of the solar power systems and at reduced costs. All these innovations are contributing to other technological developments.

6.        Reduced Carbon Footprint

Solar energy is contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions associated with fossil fuel sources of energy. This is why it is often called clean and responsible energy and regarded as one of the environmental friendly sources of energy.

7.        Transportation

Some of the energy, around 3-5%, is lost during transportation and distribution. The longer the distances between the production and the supply points, the more energy is lost. Those losses might not seem significant but they can influence the performance of the installation in regions with high population density. Having solar panels on the roof or in the yard significantly reduces this distance, therefore increasing the efficiency of the electrical system.

8.        Economical

In the long run, solar power saves you money. Solar panels and installation involve high initial expenses but this cost is soon offset by savings on energy bills. Energy needs tend to be higher in the 10:00-16:00 time frame and then early in the evening for most of the African regions. Naturally, this is the period when the price of the electricity peaks. Solar energy happens to reach its maximum production capacity during those hours. Electricity produced at that time has higher value than if it was generated at night. With the additional electricity input of solar energy, prices in those time frames could be driven down to a level close to those of night hours. It can also generate revenue for the owner if the surplus energy generated is sent to the national grid.

9.        Universal

It doesn’t matter how remote a location is on earth, solar energy can usually be generated where no other form of power can be obtained.

10.  Readily Available

There is a huge variety of solar systems and appliances available for home, community or business. It is a very versatile form of energy that can be used on a small scale or on a large scale. It can serve people from all walks of life.

 

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

1.        One-off Initial set-up costs:

The initial cost of purchasing a solar system is fairly high. This includes paying for solar panels, inverter, batteries, wiring, and for the installation. Nevertheless, solar technologies are constantly developing, so it is safe to assume that prices will go down in the future.

2.        Weather Dependence

Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively gather solar energy. Therefore, a few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect on the energy system. You should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected during the night. On the other hand, if you also require your water heating solution to work at night or during wintertime, thermodynamic panels ( gains energy from both the sun and ambient air) are an alternative to consider.

3.        Expensive Storage

Solar energy has to be used right away, or it can be stored in large batteries. These batteries, used in off-grid solar systems are charged during the day, so that the energy can be used at night. The cost of solar energy storage is often above 50% of the total cost of the whole solar system.  In most cases where there is no energy storage, it is advisable to just use solar energy during the day and take energy from the grid during the night (you can only do this if your system is connected to the grid). However, in off-grid areas, you will have to consider energy storage if you want to use solar energy at nights.

4.        Space Requirements

The more electricity you want to produce, the more solar panels you will need, as you want to convert as much sunlight as possible. Solar PV panels require a lot of space and some roofs are not big enough to fit the number of solar panels that you would like to have. In addition, they do not work for all roof types as certain tilt is required to harness the energy optimally.

 

5.        Pollution

Although pollution related to solar energy systems is far less compared to other sources of energy, solar energy can be associated with pollution. Dumping of solar energy components like batteries, inverters, panels after their lifespan can pose environmental hazards. Nonetheless, recycling after their lifespan can help solve the problem. There are also some toxic materials and hazardous products used during the manufacturing process of solar pv systems, which can indirectly affect the environment. Nevertheless, solar energy pollutes far less than alternative energy sources.

Ultimately, solar energy is a major renewable energy source with the potential to meet many of the energy challenges facing the world. There are many reasons to promote its share in the energy market. This power source is increasing in popularity because it is versatile with many benefits to people and the environment. Its major importance can be attributed to the following features:

·        Solar is clean and safe

·        Prevents destruction of habitats

·        Combats Climate Change

·        Small and decentralized electricity source

However, combatting the initial high cost has been relatively solved by different funding and payment system put in place by different agencies and NGOs. The weather dependence shortcomings have been one of the major challenges though with proper system sizing, its effect can be reduced to the barest minimum.

Energy storage has been a major challenge despite all the technological findings. It is believed that current research on battery technology will drastically reduce the cost of energy storage. Besides these challenges, solar energy components can be recycled to prevent pollution associated with their disposal.

From all indications, it pays better to GO SOLAR!