Within the group of renewable energies, solar energy has experienced a boom in recent decades that has made it one of the most promising, popular and common sources of clean energy.
Do you want to learn more about this type of renewable energy? If so, keep reading this interesting article from EcologíaVerde in which we explain the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy , what it consists of and its different types.
What is solar energy and what is it used for?
Solar energy is a type of renewable energy that, as its name suggests, comes from the energy of the Sun, the largest star, and is converted into electrical or thermal energy . It is a clean and abundant source of energy with multiple applications, such as the generation of electricity and, thus, the supply of light and hot water, among others.
In this other article from Green Ecology we tell you more about What solar energy is and what it is used for and, in addition, here we leave you a video in which you can find more information.
Types of solar energy and how they work
There are three types of solar energy or ways to exploit it:
- Photovoltaic energy: photovoltaic panels are used to capture sunlight, which releases electrons contained in the semiconductor materials of the panels, thus generating electrical energy. The energy produced is directly proportional to the amount of solar rays captured by the panels. Its uses are multiple and diverse, such as supplying energy to electrical devices and homes.
- Concentrated solar power: uses mirrors or lenses of various types that concentrate sunlight and use its heat (solar thermal energy) to generate water vapour, which moves turbines that generate electricity. Concentrated solar power plants are also capable of storing heat during the day and releasing it at night to supply electricity at night.
- Solar heating and cooling: solar heat energy is collected using solar thermal panels and used for heating water and spaces or cooling areas in buildings, etc.
To expand this information we recommend you discover more about solar panels with these other posts from Green Ecology on What are solar panels and how do they work and How to install solar panels . Once the existing types have been described, let’s see what the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy are .
Advantages of solar energy
Among the benefits of solar energy , we can highlight:
- It is a form of clean energy whose use significantly reduces the carbon footprint because, unlike fossil fuels, it does not generate greenhouse gases nor is there any pollution associated with its use beyond that which occurs during the production process of solar panels.
- It is a renewable, virtually inexhaustible and sustainable source of energy.
- It is versatile in its use because, in addition to generating electricity, solar energy also serves to heat, unlike other renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines.
- Solar energy is free, as it does not require constant extraction of raw materials that must be refined and transported to a plant. The life expectancy of solar panels can reach 40 years and they usually have 25 or 30-year warranties. In addition, their low maintenance costs guarantee that the initial investment will be amortized over their useful life.
- The use of solar energy does not generate noise pollution, since solar panels barely emit any sound during operation.
- Sunlight is abundant and widely available, reaching everywhere. This is why the use of solar panels is a viable option in any geographic location, even in remote locations where relying on electrical wiring may not be feasible.
- The use of solar energy promotes energy independence and security by reducing dependence on foreign supplies. Energy security is the State’s way of ensuring a sustainable and economically profitable energy supply through foreign supply and generation from domestic sources. Energy independence reduces a country’s energy vulnerability to factors such as war or sanctions.
- Technological development in the field of solar energy has led to an increase in demand, thus generating a growing global industry of manufacturers, suppliers and installers, which continues to create jobs around the world. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, in 2018 the photovoltaic solar industry hired more than 3.6 million people worldwide.
- The use of solar energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels (non-renewable energy sources) and helps conserve the planet’s natural resources, benefiting future generations.
Disadvantages of solar energy
Although there are many benefits and advantages to this green energy, it is true that, as with everything, there are also disadvantages to solar energy ; professionals are working on these to reduce them every day.
- The efficiency of solar panels, that is, the amount of solar energy they can convert into electrical energy, is relatively low, around 22%. However, with technological development, an increasing trend in said efficiency is being observed, which is expected to continue over time.
- The use of solar energy involves a high initial cost derived from the installation of solar panels, which may not be accessible to the entire population.
- Due to the relatively low energy efficiency of photovoltaic panels, a large installation area is currently required to produce an adequate amount of electrical energy to cover energy needs. This drawback can be alleviated by installing solar panels on rooftops.
- Solar energy is not constant, but fluctuates throughout the day, such as at night when it is not available. To overcome this inconvenience, energy storage must be used during these times. In addition to daily fluctuations, solar energy production decreases during the winter months, when there are fewer hours of sunlight and solar radiation is less intense compared to the summer.
- Current solar electric energy storage technology is not perfected, as existing batteries are expensive and bulky, and may not provide the energy required to cover energy needs, leading to power shortages during, for example, nighttime hours.
- The performance of solar panels can be reduced under certain atmospheric conditions, such as long periods of heat and humidity (which can even break down the sheets that make up the panels) or with clouds and fog. Pollution can also reduce the performance of the panels, so their use may not be recommended in cities with high levels of air pollution.
- Although the use of solar panels does not pollute, during their manufacture (especially during the extraction process of silicon in blast furnaces) toxic waste materials are produced, as well as large amounts of greenhouse gases. However, compared to a scenario using fossil fuels, by coming from a clean energy source, the use of solar energy will offset the carbon footprint generated during the manufacturing process of the panels.
- The installation of solar panels can have a visually polluting impact that negatively affects the landscape.
