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Solar energy is energy from the sun which can be captured or harnessed using technologies like solar photo-voltaic and solar thermal power. Of these two, solar PV has gained global importance because of following advantages:
Solar is a Renewable source of energy
Renewable energy is energy that is derived from natural resources like wind, sunlight, water and are replenished at a rate that is higher that the consumption of that energy. Solar energy is derived from sunlight and it is estimated that one hour of sunlight has the potential to power the earth of a whole year. Thus making it the most promising renewable energy source. The process of power generation from solar energy has no emissions and thus causes no air pollution.
Solar energy is Cost effective
Solar panel manufacturing has expanded along with the demand for solar energy, which has resulted in economies of scale. This manufacturing is largely based out of China and over the past decade, the cost of solar panels has gone down by 80 percent. As a result, solar energy is now more economically viable because the cost of making solar panels has reduced as production has expanded. Moreover, solar panels have very low operating costs making them an affordable solution.
Solar energy is highly scalable
Because Solar panels are made to be modular, solar panels can be simply coupled to form larger systems. Electricity produced by utility-scale solar power facilities can be supplied into the grid and dispersed across a huge area. This enables the production of substantial volumes of clean energy that can displace conventional fossil fuel-based power plants. On the other hand, a small house can also benefit from solar energy by installing few panels on their rooftop.
Solar Power is Energy independence
Recent geo-politics on energy has shown us that energy dependence can lead to wars between nations. This has led energy deficient nations to look towards renewable sources of energy. On an individual level too, solar energy can help achieve energy independence in areas where supply of electricity from the grid is unreliable or can be helpful to any individual who wants to make and use his/her own energy.
Solar Power has Low maintenance
Generally speaking, maintenance costs for solar PV systems are lower than for conventional power systems. This is because solar panels don't have any moving parts, thus their maintenance is limited to the occasional cleaning of any dust or debris that may have accumulated on their surface.
Solar System is easy to install
Solar PV systems' modular construction is one factor that makes them potentially simple to install. The flexibility of solar panel installation enables technicians to adapt the system to the property's energy requirements and available space. Additionally, the panels are made to be lightweight and manageable, which makes installation easier.
Solar Energy is Environment friendly
Solar power systems generate energy by turning sunlight into electricity, which eliminates the need for fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas, which when burned, release significant volumes of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and other toxins into the atmosphere, leading to global warming
These advantages have made solar PV systems very popular. However these come with a few disadvantages like:
Intermittent nature
Solar energy is available only in the daytime. Once the sun sets, the solar PV system ceases its operation. Thus, in areas where grid connectivity is unreliable or not available at all, solar is a good solution but it has to be coupled with battery storage. This battery back up stores the power which can be used during night time. This makes the solar PV system expensive as battery systems are not yet in the affordable range in India. Also during monsoon and cloudy weather, the efficiency of solar of the system is lower than on bright sunlight days.
Land Use
Harnessing solar energy is land intensive as compared to non renewable sources like coal. For example, to power a 10 KW light bulb, the land required for coal would be the size of a credit card, for nuclear power it would be the size of your palm, for solar power it would be twice the size of a cafeteria tray and for wind power half the size of a parking lot. In regions where there is scarcity of land, solar and wind power might become an expensive alternative.
Disposal
Solar panels have harmful chemicals and need to be disposed off safely after they complete their life cycle. Currently, the disposal methods as well as recycling methods are limited.
Most of these can be tackled with advances in technology. Even in the current state, solar PV systems are much better than energy from fossil fuels, making it the most reliable technology in the present day.
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