Have you ever said to someone that you need some sun? Of course, and that is because all living things rely on sun to grow and stay healthy. It is the original source of energy for our planet. So it would seem like a no-brainer that we would all be hooked up to it, right?
Solar energy is one of the only truly renewable sources of energy because somewhere on earth it is always available and it never runs out. On the other hand oil, coal and natural gas are known as non-renewables because one day they will be gone completely.
So how have we learnt to harness the energy from the sun to power not just ourselves but our machines and why it is not the most popular form of energy production?
Solar Devices
Solar electricity is converted directly from sunlight using solar cells. Modern solar cells were first invented in the twentieth century. and are made from thin layers of a chemical called silicon. When sunlight hits the silicon it generates an electric field across the layers. The electricity can be drawn off and used to power electrical equipment.
Solar cells only work well when the Sun is out. They are very dependent on the weather. On a dull day, they produce less electricity than on sunny day, and they do not work at night.
Other solar devices can capture the Sun's heat and be used to heat up water or air. The most common form of solar heating is solar hot water system.
They consist of a panel containing thin tubes filled with water, which is usually placed on the roof of a house. The Sun warms the water in the pipes and it is then sent to an insulated storage tank. More pipes may connect the tank to the houses's central heating and hot water system's to warm rooms and feed baths and sinks.
In warmer climates solar hot water can provide about 85 per cent of a home's hot water needs.
The Pros and Cons
There are many benefits to using solar power - especially hot water systems - but there are drawbacks as well which may answer the question of why it is not the leading source of our personal energy usage.
Pros:
- Solar power saves you money as the power source is free.
- Solar power generation is silent.
- Solar power is clean and environmentally friendly.
- Solar power is renewable and sustainable. It will not run out.
- Solar power will help reduce the impact of global warming and climate change.
- The worldwide potential is enormous. Each year, solar energy could deliver up to 90 times the current annual energy use of the entire world.
Cons:
- Solar power depends on the weather.
- Solar power is limited to daylight hours.
- Solar installations are relatively expensive in comparison to other energy sources.
- The manufacture and life expectancy of poorly produced solar cells can be less efficient than other sources of energy.
- Vast amounts of land are required for large-scale commercial solar arrays.
The Future of SolarWith more people turning to renewable energy and more countries determined to lower their use of fossil fuels, solar energy could be a leading way to generate electricity. The International Energy Agency predicts that by 2060 it could account for a third of the world's energy needs.
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