Why is Solar Energy Renewable?
Sun is a primary source of energy on earth. The chemical composition on the Sun’s surface emits radiation which can be converted into electrical energy by using solar panels.
Solar energy fits perfectly for future energy production as they are cost-effective and easy to maintain.
The growing arena of power generation is focusing on solar energy as it emphasizes clean energy revolution with minimal harmful impact on the environment and zero-emission process to generate energy.
Solar energy is considered a renewable source of energy as it is one of the cleanest and most abundant green resources. Solar energy is sustainable and inexhaustible as it replenishes naturally, unlike fossil fuels. NASA says we still have 4.5 billion years to use solar energy as the Sun is halfway through its lifetime. Solar energy can be converted into thermal or electric power, and the U.S. has the second richest solar generation capacity in the world. Solar energy can be harnessed by solar technologies for domestic, commercial, and industrial uses.
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is often referred to as which can be generated and replenished by natural resources. It is clean energy but flows limited, inexhaustible in time.
Do you know electric power units accounted for a total of 60% of the U.S. renewable energy consumption, and about 20% of this electricity generation was from renewable energy resources? Renewable resources include sunlight, geothermal heat, wind, water, biomass, etc.
Renewable resources are recyclable and do not release pollutants. It is responsible not completely to eradicate but reduce levels of carbon dioxide emissions. It is an advantageous source to choose for the planet and economic development.
Renewable resources carry a vision of sustainable development with a mission of green and clean energy. So, now when you hear ‘renewable,’ you will know that we are never running out of sources and contributing to saving our planet.
Why is Solar Energy one of the Best Renewable Energy Sources?
Solar energy is continuously gaining popularity because of its significant benefits to the planet and humanity.
Solar power contributes to U.S. electricity generation, which is a crucial positive step. However, we can’t forget the little steps and constant improvisation to utilize solar energy on the domestic level.
Solar power has become the best contribution to a cleaner future. It reduces harmful pollution, fights climate changes and minimizes carbon footprints as well as is economical.
Most importantly, Solar power is way more efficient than other types of renewable energy sources. Although, nuclear power can become efficient if we can think of better implementation, as of today Solar Power is efficient in all ways.
Key reasons – How is Solar Energy Renewable?
Sun, the star dominates our solar system and emits constant radiation. Solar radiation is the enormous amount of energy sent by the Sun, which can be converted into electric or thermal energy through solar panels. Sun is made up of two main elements.
• Sun and its Reaction
The temperature of the Sun is almost 16,000,000 Kelvin which causes the nuclei of a single hydrogen atom to undergo nuclear fusion.
Two hydrogen nuclei combine to make one helium nucleus and result in energy that reaches earth through solar radiation. Followed by a vast number of fusions, energy produced flows out towards the solar surface by radiation and goes through the mixing of gases on the Sun’s surface.
Sun radiates a tremendous amount of heat and light energy to the earth. The planet and atmosphere absorb some percent of this energy, and the remaining is reflected in space.
Apart from maintaining weather, regulating temperature, solar energy is a valid green resource with zero carbon footprints.
• Solar Energy- Active and Passive
Availability of solar energy depends on the year, season, latitude, and solar panels.
Active solar technology converts solar energy into heat or electricity by using collector and heat-absorbing liquid.
Whereas passive solar technology does not use any external devices, heat is absorbed by walls or floors. Although solar panels work less effectively in rains, they efficiently work by removing dirt and dust.
How to harness solar energy for domestic and industrial use
Solar energy is getting famous worldwide as the first option among other renewable resources. Solar energy is 200,000 times the world’s total daily electricity production capacity, and it can be generated in two ways-
• Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic, also known as solar cells, directly convert sunlight into electricity. Solar cells or Photovoltaic were invented in the Bell Telephone Laboratory in the United States in 1954.
PV’s contribute to today’s fastest-growing technology era and is a promising option for future global electricity production.
Remote areas are away from power transmission lines which makes solar PV installation an excellent choice for them. They can be combined to generate electricity for commercial or community use.
Manufacturing and quality checks have made solar panels an affordable and economical form of electricity with a life span of almost 30 years.
• Concentrated Solar Power
This technology uses mirrors to collect and concentrate solar rays. The rays heat the fluid inside and create steam to drive the turbine, which leads to the generation of electricity. This technology is commonly used for large-scale power plants.
Desalination units are solar-powered to transform saltwater into drinking water using Sun’s heat/thermal energy.
What makes solar energy more reliable?
The solar market in the United States has grown at an average rate of 43% each year. There is 3 million-plus solar installation, especially on small house rooftops to large utility-scale systems that add hundreds of megawatts, leading to more percent of clean electricity.
Solar energy is pollution-free and causes no greenhouse gases. It reduces dependency on fossils fuels and maintains clean power, clean air. Solar energy is a renewable source to reduce your power bills and at the same time save you from power cuts.
Overall, solar power doesn’t leave any carbon footprints and is suitable for remote areas. This impacts the environment positively and humanity by providing jobs, increasing the value of your property.
Solar energy is economical with easy maintenance and no noise at all.
Which Type of Solar Technology Fits your House?
Solar technology is widely distributed in three types- photovoltaic, solar heating & cooling, and concentrating solar power.
Solar energy is flexible enough to build as a distributed station, centrally acting, or power plant.
The U.S. promotes a clean energy economy for which solar energy exists with wind power for the complex electricity system in the country.
Innovation and Future of Solar Energy
Innovation and research in recent years seem more promising with improvised results without compromising reliability.
Innovation has led to less expensive ways to capture solar energy. It benefits the lower emission of carbon and other pollutants. The U.S. is working towards using renewable resources by more intelligent, secure, and better-integrated projects.
Solar or photovoltaic cells made of silicon tend to transform sunlight directly into electricity and can be used by the distributed solar system by community projects, neighborhoods, homes, and businesses.
Solar farms use mirrors to concentrate sunlight across acres. Floatovoltaic or floating solar farms are an effective use of wastewater facilities.
With the introduction of the latest and better panel technologies and designs, solar panels are recording increasing efficiency with lesser effect on the environment. Additionally, these solar panels are getting better at converting sunlight into emission-free energy. It is successfully generating more clean energy.
Solar technologies are working to produce hydrogen as an alternative energy resource by mimicking the process of photosynthesis on artificial leaves.
Renewable and Repurposed
Solar energy conversion and storage needs external machinery, panel, and handling, but they can be repurposed even after removal and without solar panel disposal.
Solar energy is chosen over any other renewable resource because of its easy maintenance. Better output and the components within can be repurposed, which lowers the carbon footprint and restores environmental safety.
In this direction, recycling processes and their quality are improving dramatically to improve solar energy panel efficiency.
The Booming U.S. Solar Industry
Solar PV is expected to grow the fastest to 2050, with some heavy solar grids U.S. solar industry employs thousands of people and can generate enormous solar energy.
It might grow double in the next five years with the efficient output and power pack performance. It qualifies with cash and tax and increases the value of the land.
Solar-powered land in the U.S. is given other benefits to promote this renewable practice. According to Forbes, the global PV growth will exceed more than triple by 2050.
How Sun is an Attractive Option for going ‘Green’
Undoubtedly, non-renewable resources are overutilized and are responsible for excessive carbon pollutants. Energy production has been acquired by the dominancy of coal, oil, and gas for a long time.
Now, the world is chasing awareness about renewable resources like wind and solar energy. Solar panels are individually responsible for converting light into energy that is used for different purposes. The improvised proposal and latest technology have made solar and sun the first choice.
Also, solar energy is widely available and works well without extensive infrastructure. Cost is still decreasing, and jobs in the green world, the solar industry is growing contributions to the US economy. It does not emit toxic substances after installation.
Solar energy reduces our dependency on pollutant, non-renewable resources, making the planet cleaner and greener.
Conclusion
The widespread adoption of solar power is due to the constant supply of sunlight from the Sun. Over the last decade, the cost associated with solar power has made it more affordable and efficient.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the U.S., with the latest scientific and solar research, has implemented renewable energy as an easy, more reliable, and cost-effective option.
Renewable energy improves public health and reduces premature death by positively affecting nature.
According to reports, the U.S. has been leading in the world in clean and green energy. Although solar power and their installation does not need water to operate and with the innovative, forward-thinking approach companies continue to change future of renewable/solar power, with low operating cost.
The advancement of modern technologies, passive solar ventilation systems, etc., is strengthening the interest and awareness for the future. Solar energy is transportable and storable.
There are enough pros and cons associated with everything but the critical benefit of installing and opting for solar energy over the non-renewable resource is your contribution towards a better future.
Renewable energy does not exist to reduce the carbon footprint or fewer power bills. Still, it promotes health and retains the balance of humans with nature, making solar a promising and first choice for the future.
