How sustainable is solar energy?
Views: 62
0
0
Introduction
Solar power is a clean and renewable energy source. It can be used to generate electricity, heat water, and even cool buildings. Solar panels are a common way to harness the sun’s energy, but there are other ways you can use it in your home.
What is solar energy?
Solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun. It can be used to heat water, cook food, and power a wide variety of devices. Solar power plants use photovoltaics (PV) to convert sunlight into electricity or concentrated solar power (CSP) to generate steam for electricity generation.
Solar radiation reaches Earth’s surface as direct radiation and indirect radiation, which can be reflected by clouds or atmospheric gasses before reaching us on Earth’s surface as diffuse radiation.[1] The amount of direct solar radiation received at ground level depends on many factors such as latitude and time of day; however it averages around 1,000 W/m2 over an entire year.[2]
How does it work?
A solar panel is made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which are semiconductors that convert sunlight into electricity. These PV cells are composed of silicon, a material that has been used in electronics for decades due to its semiconductor properties: it can conduct electricity when exposed to light or other electromagnetic radiation.
Solar panels work by absorbing photons from the sun and converting them into electrical energy that can be used immediately by any device connected to your home’s electrical grid or stored in batteries for later use. A typical residential installation will have one panel per every 1-2kW capacity–for example, if you want your system to produce 6kW then you’ll need six panels installed on your roof
How much does solar power cost, and how much can you save?
The cost of solar panels and installation can vary widely depending on where you live, but it’s generally around $5-$7 per watt. On average, a 5kW system will cost around $20,000-$25,000 up front. The good news is that most states offer incentives to offset this cost–for instance: California offers a rebate of $2 per watt (in addition to federal tax credits) for residential installations.
To give you an idea of how much money you’ll save on electricity bills in the long run with solar power: A typical home uses 10 kilowatts (kWh) each month; if your home uses 15 kWh/month now and installs a 5 kW system at $20K/installation ($4/watt), then after 20 years of operation (assuming no maintenance costs), your savings will be about $35K compared with paying retail rates from now until then!
Is it worth investing in solar power for your home?
Solar power is still more expensive than conventional energy. But it’s getting cheaper and will continue to do so as technology improves, manufacturing processes become more efficient, and economies of scale kick in.
The cost of solar panels has dropped by 80% since 2008 (from $7/watt to $2/watt), according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Solar panel production increased by almost 1 GW annually between 2000 and 2015, with over 90% of that growth happening after 2011–a sign that the industry is maturing rapidly.
Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that can help reduce carbon emissions.
Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that can help reduce carbon emissions.
Solar power does not produce any air or water pollution and has no adverse effects on the environment. In fact, it’s one of the most environmentally friendly ways to produce electricity!
The amount of carbon dioxide released into our atmosphere by burning fossil fuels like coal or oil is contributing to global warming; reducing this amount helps reduce your carbon footprint and slow down climate change. By using solar power instead of fossil fuels for electricity generation (or other uses), you’ll be helping to protect our planet for future generations!
Conclusion
If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint, solar power is a great way to go. It’s also an investment that will pay off over time as the price of electricity continues to rise. If you have access to enough sunlight on your property or nearby, then installing solar panels could help lower your utility bills while also providing clean energy for use throughout the day!
