With the depletion of the finite natural resources that the world relies on like coal and fossil fuel, alternative sources of energy are being sought out throughout the whole world in preparation for the day that we no longer have natural resources to use.
Solar energy is one of the alternative sources of power that is being lobbied in the United States today because of its advantages. In fact, the Department of Energy has launched an ambitious project to convert homes to solar power under its “Million Solar Roofs” Project.
How Solar Power is Harnessed
The sun’s power is the raw energy which is converted to a compatible form of energy to power up a home. This is done through either of these two processes: solar thermal application or photovoltaic action.
Solar thermal application involves the use of liquids, which are heated using the harnessed sunlight. The heat is then used to provide the needed energy for the house. Photovoltaic action, on the other hand, uses photovoltaic cells to convert solar power into electric energy.
The Advantages of Solar Energy Compared to Conventional Sources of Power
In terms of supply, solar energy is advantageous over the other sources of power like electricity or nuclear plants. This is because the sun is a resource that will not be depleted, at least not in a billion years. It is also free, and can be harnessed easily by installing solar panels on the roof which act as collectors of power that are then distributed across your household.
The use of solar energy does not require any chemicals or pollutants. You don’t need to refine solar energy; you just use it as it is. This means that the use of solar power does not contribute to the rising threat of global warming. In this sense, it is beneficial to the environment.
The Cons of Reliance on Solar Power
As it has advantages, solar power has disadvantages. One disadvantage lies in the issue of availability. While it is free and easy to harness, it is otherwise difficult to take advantage of when you are in a location that receives less sunlight than in other regions of the world.
The state of the weather could affect your household’s power supply. When the cloud cover is dense and thick, the light from the sun will be blocked by it and will be unavailable for your solar panels.
The other global phenomenon, called “Global Dimming,” is also a concern in using solar power. Global dimming is caused by pollutants building up in the air and contaminating it. This in turn causes less sunlight to enter the planet, which means less solar power that we can use.
Another – an obvious one – disadvantage to solar energy is during nighttime. There is no sun during night, which means that there should be a way to store solar power as a reserve for the night hours when there is no Sun.
Solar panels are made of very expensive materials, and very expensive and difficult to set up. You would need a professional to set the system up for you, which means more expenses. They say the benefits might outweigh the cost, though.
