Solar Energy Controversies

Solar energy is the largest energy resource available on earth. Not to mention concern about climate change have made this resource prevalent to individuals looking to lower their carbon footprint. Installing solar panels can decrease a household’s carbon footprint by an average of 35,180 pounds of carbon dioxide per year (Tusher, Christine, 2014). Solar panels got their start in the 1950s. They are what produce solar electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) cells, meaning they are batteries that harness sunlight, transform it into energy, then send the energy to an inverter, which in turn converts the energy into electricity. A well-known example of an object that uses solar panels to power itself is a solar-powered calculator. One advantage

It creates contrasts between the pros and cons of the new system, while adequately describing the solar power market situation at the same time. The author is a writer for Maclean’s who concentrates on technical news and issues. This article has a tendency to concentrate more on the political aspect of the solar initiative, and shows bias as to why these devices may not be of great use. It sights sources whose viewpoints are correct, however they do not meet fully with the concept of the device and its purpose, and are therefore void in context. This is advantageous to those seeking to contrast viewpoints, as the views displayed in the article are easily disqualified due to their lack of knowledge. In addition, the article gives a contrasting method of energy storage. The article was found while searching for solar energy storage on

* With the effect of carbon tax set to increase the cost of other energy sources, solar power will become a more viable option in the future

If we choose to switch to solar energy in future, it will greatly save our environment because, it does not pollute our air and it is reasonably efficient. It will help reduce global warming, and thus a future green environment with no pollution from fossil fuels, and other conventional sources of energy. To add on that, it will also help in conserving our remaining fossil fuels so that it may not run out in the coming 100-500 years, as it has been predicted.

Solar energy is experiencing a boom like no other. This year, it is forecasted to grow at an astonishing 119%, significantly higher than last year’s already impressive 17%. At the same time, expectations are for 14.5 gigawatts of solar power to be installed and surpass all others sources of new energy.

     With the world’s natural resources depleting rapidly, humans must find a way to compensate. This society has milked oil, coal, gasoline, lead, uranium, and many other of these reservoirs in our Earth for hundreds of years and much has been done. Asphalt was used for our roads and highways, coal was originally used for heat before there was oil, and even water was used as a form of electricity on many rural farms. Luckily, more companies around the world are waking up to the fact that these resources will not be around forever, and that in the near future, other forms of energy will take heed. Solar energy, or energy powered by the sun, is one of the most promising. Since the

Solar energy is the most plentiful and purist renewable energy source available. Because it is completely natural, it is considered to be a clean energy source. It does not disrupt the environment or threaten the Eco-systems the way oil and some other energy sources tend to. Nor does it cause greenhouse gases, air or water pollution. Solar energy is an immensely important aspect of life and has been since the beginning of time. Increasingly, we are learning how to harness this important resource and use it to replace traditional energy sources. Modern technology can utilize this energy in a variety of ways, such as; generating electricity, providing light or a comfortable interior environment, and heating water for domestic, industrial, or commercial use. One day solar energy may well become our primary form of energy. This would lead to a clean environment, less money spent on utilities, and a healthier world. It is highly important because it has the potential to allow technology and nature to co-exist peacefully.

In late 2015, a research study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the overall opinions and perceptions of rural South Carolinians regarding solar energy. Survey respondents were drawn from a database of the twenty rural electric cooperatives that operate throughout the state and in each of the state’s 46 counties. Of specific interest was the preference for solar power installations on the property of the member-consumer versus interest in a community solar program that would be located within the community but not on an individual’s property. In addition, the survey and the anticipated results are designed to determine if there is a preference for rooftop solar generation versus ground mounted panels if solar is

“The average solar power incident on the Earth is ~1000Wm-2(~100mWcm-2) or about 150 000TW. This power is far larger than the world power consumption in 2010 of ~18 TWth”[2]. From above we can easily find that the energy of solar power has great potential storage. It is about 10000 times of total world’s power consumption.

Solar energy is one answer to producing power without pollution. This energy is inexhaustible and available for use anywhere. Fogel says that if everyone could make full use of the sun’s light and heat, we would have about twenty thousand times as much energy as the entire world uses now (73). We can never use up solar energy because it is enormous and limitless. According to Erwin, solar energy is already being used everywhere in many different applications. People are using solar energy to heat pools, houses, and hot water tanks and also to produce

The potential of solar energy is tremendous. We should take advantage of this opportunity and make solar energy usage more common!

One of the biggest reasons as to why renewable energy is so much of a preferable alternative of fossil fuels today as opposed to the past is due to revolutionary breakthroughs in renewable energy technology. “Solar energy is clean, free, and abundant worldwide” (Schnittka, 26). Solar power has always

energy represents almost a half of one percent of the total electricity use, a number that is insignificant (Diane and Shubhayu 12). The human population is yet to realize that solar energy can be used extensively in both heating and lighting. Moreover,

Technology has brought us to where we are today as humans. For better or worse this is where we are and we are stuck with it. We need to use technology to our advantage in our everyday lives. This is where passive solar technology comes into play. It is, in a sense, a gathering of the new and old for a better world. Our ancient ancestors may have caused war and been unjust but they did not place the future of the world on the brink of extinction. As present citizens of earth our living habits dictate the way we use earth’s resources. We need to curb our ways and live “closer” or more in-tune with our mother earth.

The South African power crisis needs little introduction as most of us spend our nights in the shadows singing “Hello Darkness My Old Friend” and ‘’I’ve Got the Power ’’ in the hope that at some point the glorious rays of light will return. This energy crisis sees little end in sight and leaves the people of our country with a need and responsibility to find alternative sources of energy - solar power is one of these solutions. Solar power is a brilliant idea as it harnesses the power of the sun and converts it into electricity, however it is very costly and it is inefficient because only 11 - 15% of the energy harnessed is converted into electricity. Solar panels are generally fixed at one position, usually at the angle that one’s roof slopes or at some other predetermined fixed position. According to research, by moving the panel with the sun there will be a marked increase in the efficiency and power output of the solar panel. It is also claimed that temperature will affect the amount of energy produced. Thus, this project will aim to find out if there is a significant difference in efficiency as the sun moves around the solar panel and attempt to obtain the best possible efficiency by moving the panel with the sun throughout the day. By knowing this, it can be used by South African citizens to increase power, lower costs, lower the strain on ESKOM’s grid and improve their investment in solar panels.