Solar energy is a very popular subject at the moment, especially with all the fossil fuel related disasters that have been taking place recently and the destruction, both actual and potential, and mayhem they have caused and may well continue to cause for many years to come.
There are many advantages to solar energy, but what are the greatest? That's a bit subjective, so, with that in mind, here's one writer's take on what the greatest advantages of solar energy are.
Free, Abundant And Renewable
How many energy sources can you describe as free, abundant and renewable? The answer is one - solar energy. And therein lies probably the greatest advantage of solar energy, the fact that there is so much of it (over 6,000 times more solar energy strikes the Earth in one hour than is used by the planet's entire population in a full year! Now that's abundant) and that it reaches us at no cost to us (hence, it's free) and that it's there for us each and every day, 365 days a year (renewable is probably an understatement); it's hard to imagine a greater advantage.
The sun's energy reaches us in the forms of light and heat, and all of us can take advantage of that energy for free every day. In fact, truth be told, you probably already are taking advantage of it, even though you may not realize it. "Wait. How can that be?", you wonder. "Surely I'd know if I was using solar energy. Wouldn't I have solar panels on my roof?"
Remember we said solar energy was free and abundant? Well, that's exactly what you're getting every day when you open your drapes and let the sun's light and heat in to supply you with free light and heat. This is a concept known as passive solar energy, and, if you have materials in your home that can retain heat, such as concrete floors and walls (also known as thermal mass), these materials will absorb heat, keeping your home cool during the summer, and release the heat as the temperature in your home cools, keeping you warm at night.
No Pollution
Solar is not only free and abundant, it's also pollution-free. The heat and light we get from the sun is produced as a result of the natural processes of the sun, and produces no pollutants or carbon emissions.
Photovoltaic electricity is produced by solar panels via a process known as the "photovoltaic effect", which generates DC (Direct Current) electricity from the reaction of sunlight on materials such as selenium and silicon. The process uses no fuel to initiate it so no carbon emissions are involved in the generation of the electricity and no carbon emissions or pollutants are produced as a result of the process.
Electricity supplied by the utility companies is mainly generated using fossil fuels, which results in large amounts of carbon emissions and pollution, all of which contributes directly to the growing phenomenon known as global warming, which is posing a serious threat not only to the environment but also to many of the lifeforms whose existence is being threatened by the rapid changes taking place in the environment.
Get Your Electricity Free
If you were to invest in a solar electric system, you would not only be helping the environment by reducing your reliance on your utility and thus reducing the use of fossil fuels and the resultant amount of carbon emissions, but you'd also be reducing your electricity bill, or perhaps eventually eliminating it. The more electricity generated by your solar electric system, the less electricity you'll need from your utility and the lower your electricity bill will be.
While investing in a PV system can be expensive, depending on the size and complexity of the system being installed, the system can pay for itself in energy savings within 5-10 years, meaning your system will be generating free electricity thereafter.
Solar energy has many advantages, and the number of advantages continues to increase as the technology continues to improve, but these are among the greatest advantages of solar energy.
There are many advantages to solar energy, but what are the greatest? That's a bit subjective, so, with that in mind, here's one writer's take on what the greatest advantages of solar energy are.
Free, Abundant And Renewable
How many energy sources can you describe as free, abundant and renewable? The answer is one - solar energy. And therein lies probably the greatest advantage of solar energy, the fact that there is so much of it (over 6,000 times more solar energy strikes the Earth in one hour than is used by the planet's entire population in a full year! Now that's abundant) and that it reaches us at no cost to us (hence, it's free) and that it's there for us each and every day, 365 days a year (renewable is probably an understatement); it's hard to imagine a greater advantage.
The sun's energy reaches us in the forms of light and heat, and all of us can take advantage of that energy for free every day. In fact, truth be told, you probably already are taking advantage of it, even though you may not realize it. "Wait. How can that be?", you wonder. "Surely I'd know if I was using solar energy. Wouldn't I have solar panels on my roof?"
Remember we said solar energy was free and abundant? Well, that's exactly what you're getting every day when you open your drapes and let the sun's light and heat in to supply you with free light and heat. This is a concept known as passive solar energy, and, if you have materials in your home that can retain heat, such as concrete floors and walls (also known as thermal mass), these materials will absorb heat, keeping your home cool during the summer, and release the heat as the temperature in your home cools, keeping you warm at night.
No Pollution
Solar is not only free and abundant, it's also pollution-free. The heat and light we get from the sun is produced as a result of the natural processes of the sun, and produces no pollutants or carbon emissions.
Photovoltaic electricity is produced by solar panels via a process known as the "photovoltaic effect", which generates DC (Direct Current) electricity from the reaction of sunlight on materials such as selenium and silicon. The process uses no fuel to initiate it so no carbon emissions are involved in the generation of the electricity and no carbon emissions or pollutants are produced as a result of the process.
Electricity supplied by the utility companies is mainly generated using fossil fuels, which results in large amounts of carbon emissions and pollution, all of which contributes directly to the growing phenomenon known as global warming, which is posing a serious threat not only to the environment but also to many of the lifeforms whose existence is being threatened by the rapid changes taking place in the environment.
Get Your Electricity Free
If you were to invest in a solar electric system, you would not only be helping the environment by reducing your reliance on your utility and thus reducing the use of fossil fuels and the resultant amount of carbon emissions, but you'd also be reducing your electricity bill, or perhaps eventually eliminating it. The more electricity generated by your solar electric system, the less electricity you'll need from your utility and the lower your electricity bill will be.
While investing in a PV system can be expensive, depending on the size and complexity of the system being installed, the system can pay for itself in energy savings within 5-10 years, meaning your system will be generating free electricity thereafter.
Solar energy has many advantages, and the number of advantages continues to increase as the technology continues to improve, but these are among the greatest advantages of solar energy.
Thank you for sharing valuable information.
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