Why Solar Energy is important?
What is the reason Solar Energy is important?
The power of solar energy to tackle a variety of global challenges is the main source for renewable energy. There are numerous reasons for the solar power source to be a prominent factor in the energy market. Because it is versatile and has many benefits for people and environmental protection, the power source is gaining popularity.
What exactly is solar energy?
Sunlight is the source that gives rise to solar energy. The sun powers our planet. It provides the energy necessary to protect our environment and grow our population, regardless of whether or not you realize it or not. Its solar energy will be enough to supply all our needs. According to the US Department of Energy estimates that 173,000 terawatts of sunlight energy are absorbed by the earth every second, more than 10,000 times the amount of world energy consumption. Sun energy can be utilized to generate electricity that is free, renewable, and clean. Solar energy can be used to provide heat, light, and other electricity-dependent needs in homes and buildings.
Environmental Protection is vitally important
Based on the U.S. Department of Energy the amount of sunlight that the planet receives in an hour is greater than the energy that is consumed by the entire planet for a year. Bloomberg reports that solar energy was the most rapidly growing energy sector in 2015, with an increase of 33. The promotion of solar energy is due to its environmental advantages.
Solar energy is safe and clean.
The safest alternatives to fossil fuels like gas and coal is solar. Solar energy can generate electricity that produces air polluting soil, water and air. It is reported by the World Wide Fund For Nature (also known as the WWF) notes that fossil fuels could cause pollution of the air, acid rain, damage to forest areas, and affect agricultural production which can result in a cost of billions USD globally. In the United States, fracking United States uses thousands of liters of water to extract water. This can also cause earthquakes and pollution of water bodies nearby. The environmental catastrophes caused by nuclear power have caused water and land pollution. These harmful and hazardous effects of fossil fuels can be eliminated by the use of solar power.
Habitat destruction prevented
In order to extract the raw materials like fossil fuels or nuclear fuels, forests are destroyed. To feed their families, trees constantly draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere , and store it in their forests. This major carbon sink is gone when forests are cleared to mine raw materials for conventional energy. It also contributes to the climate change. According to WWF the majority of ten animals that live on land reside in forests. The loss of forests could lead to a decrease in the amount of wildlife they have. It is vital to switch to solar power in order to protect these habitats for wildlife that inhabit them and to maintain clean air.
Climate Change Combated
Based on the Environmental Protection Agency, 2017 greenhouse gas emissions were 13% lower than levels in 2005. Actually, greenhouse gas emissions actually declined by.5 percent between 2016 and 2017. Global warming and changing weather patterns are caused by emissions. The effects of heat waves and the increase in pests that spread disease can result in severe health problems, especially for the elderly and children.
The disruption of weather patterns has caused an increase in floods and hurricanes due to climate change. An increase the levels of carbon dioxide are acidifying the oceans and killing marine life , such as corals. Climate change is causing the destruction of species from the Sub-Arctic boreal forests as well as Amazon forests. Amazon forests. The melting of the polar cap leads to a reduction in the habitat for wildlife along with an rise in sea level. People are forced to move due to submersion and loss on the coastlines. In the world, irregular rain or growing droughts may be detrimental to agriculture and the lifestyles of the less fortunate segments of society.
Because solar power does not release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, solar power can reduce the impact of climate change. Based on Greenpeace myth 5 (report on myths about energy) solar panels are able to offset carbon footprints in just four years.
Social and Social Benefits
Based on the Solar Energy Industries Association, the U.S. had an installed capacity of 69.1 gigawatts (GW) which is enough to power more than 13 million homes in the second quarter of 2019.
Small and decentralized sources of electricity
The main benefit of solar energy is the capacity for production on a smaller scale by consumers who are the end users in contrast to the traditional energy sources that are controlled centrally by big corporations.
Photo-voltaic cells that are mounted on the roofs of individual buildings are able to generate heat and electricity from solar energy. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) the solar energy is a distributed source of electricity that can be utilized by businesses and homes. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, there are also passive solar designs for structures that cool or heat space and energy-efficient solar heating of the water.
These systems are becoming more popular for power generation at the community levels. Based on the office for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s report 13 states produced the capacity of 100 megawatts capacity in 2015. Residential units had 2 gigawatts. Between 2010 and 2015, 100 MW of community solar plants were constructed. These are crucial for ensuring that communities continue to operate at a lower cost.
EIA also states that large-scale “Solar thermal or electric plant plants create electricity by concentrating sunlight to heat a fluid, and then producing steam that powers a generator.”
Because solar power is decentralized and distributed, it is able to be utilized in remote areas disconnected from the grid. This is crucial for farms that operate greenhouses, irrigation, and hay dryers. As per the Union of Concerned Scientists, this is what makes agriculture secure.
Affordable and reliable energy source
The high cost of solar power systems have been reduced through advances in technology as well as government subsidies and policies. According to Energy.gov the cost for solar panel systems has fallen by 60% and the cost of solar energy systems by half. It is more affordable than conventional energy sources.
According to Greenpeace, the running costs are less and your initial expenditure is recovered leading to savings on energy costs. According to Greenpeace’s myth-busting study (myth 1), solar energy uses sunlight and is free. Yet, fossil-fuels need to be mined and transported long distances. Based on the Greenpeace report for the United States, the costs of dealing with environmental issues from using “dirty power resources” can be twice or more than the cost of electricity that comes from coal or other traditional sources. These extra costs are able to be offset or eliminated by solar power.
Generation of Jobs
Guardian reports that the United States was the fifth-largest solar panel producer in the world in 2016. It has also created thousands of jobs. According to Energy.gov, solar employment has increased 123% over five years. In 2015, there were 209,000 solar-related workers. The majority of solar installations were done by small businesses. Next came designers, salespeople, and professionals. This sector grew by 12% more rate than the average American job market, which kept the economy going.
Solar Energy Industry Jobs
64 percent of U.S. electricity was generated from fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum natural gas, natural gas and various other gas. Around 19% of electricity was generated using nuclear energy, and 17% using renewable sources. This is unchanged from 2015. According to a Solar Foundation report, the solar industry employed 242,000 employees in 2018.
Solar Workforce Increasing
U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) The number of workers in the Traditional Energy and Energy Efficiency sector are around 6.4 million Americans. The number of jobs that were created in 2016 was 5% higher than the previous year, which was 300,000. In 2016, 14% of the new jobs in the U.S. were created by this industry. These sectors employ 55% of the energy workers. In addition, around 374,000 employees work either full-time or part-time in the solar industry. About 260,000 workers work full-time in the solar industry. The number of solar-related workers grew by 25% in the year 2016.
Research and Innovation Funding
Since 1977, in 1977 the U.S. Department of Energy has been the primary funding agency. In 2006, solar power received funding of more than 150 million dollars. Studies into solar power was awarded $310 million in 2013, and $65 million added in the year 2016. It was developed to increase the effectiveness of solar panel systems, design new solar power collectors and storage capacities, as well as lower the price of electricity production so that it is more affordable for everyone through the [xfield_companycompany.
According to MIT, research is underway to create new photovoltaic devices. This involves cutting down on how much silicon is utilized and experimenting with various forms and shapes of panels, biobased substances, panel-less solar production, and so on.
An alternative is to boost the battery’s capacity for storage so that they can save surplus solar energy to future use. This will improve the efficiency of batteries and ensure a constant supply. Lithium-ion battery combination with software, and the new “polymer hybrid supercapacitors” can help lower costs.
Five Reasons to Back Solar Energy
Numerous businesses and homeowners are turning to solar power due to a variety of reasons. There are many advantages to solar power, not only for individuals but also for the entire world. These are only a few reasons to support solar power.
1. It’s beneficial for the environment.
Solar energy is more environmentally friendly than conventional electricity. It isn’t dependent on fossil fuels, and it doesn’t pollute the air and water. This is why solar energy is a superior option for many. Solar energy utilizes the earth’s resources, while conventional electricity harms or depletes these resources.
2. It is a reliable, efficient and cost-effective source of energy.
The sun is the only renewable energy source. While fossil fuels eventually be exhausted, sunlight won’t. It is therefore extremely reliable. It’s also less expensive than fossil fuels that are costly to extract and then use. To reap the benefits you require the installation of a solar panel once.
3. It can save you money over the long run.
The cost of installing solar panels and solar electric systems has dropped in recent times, some people still find it daunting to make the investment in solar energy. The most important thing to do is keep in mind that installing solar panels is an event that happens once. However, paying for electricity is a continuous, costly and regular expense, particularly in light of rising electricity rates. It is possible to reduce your expenses by investing in solar energy.
4. Solar Power creates jobs and spurs economic growth
Did you know that the US solar industry is responsible for more jobs per capita than any other sector? According to the Solar Foundation’s most recent National Solar Jobs Census report, solar energy creates nearly 17 times as many jobs as all other industries in the US overall economy. There were 250,000 people employed within the solar energy sector in the year 2019.
5. It helps to ensure energy independence.
Energy independence is the ability to not depend on the grid to get energy. This makes you more vulnerable to price hikes and could cause power interruptions on Long Island and New York City. It could be a problem in the event that there isn’t a way to power your home. If you have a backup battery system and solar pv panels, you will not be being dependent on unstable power grids at times when you most need it.
