Since the beginning of time, people have been striving to find a way to satisfy their daily needs while minimizing their impact on the environment. Nowadays, with the world focusing more on sustainability issues, people are becoming more aware of conserving resources and being more environmentally friendly.
For centuries, human beings have depended on fossil fuels (wood burning being the most common) to meet their energy requirements. However, recent climate change concerns have made it obvious that this is not the best option. The burning of fossil fuels results in the emission of harmful gases that contribute to global warming. As a result, scientists and politicians have recommended alternatives, including solar energy.
You might be wondering, ‘solar energy? But doesn’t sun shine all day long? Why should I bother collecting it and concentrating it using panels? Won’t this drain my battery too quickly?’ Well, worry no more because this article is here to answer all of your questions and more!
Why Use Solar Energy Instead Of Fossil Fuels?
Although sunlight provides us with all the energy we need, it is not always easy to capture and use. In most cases, we need to transform sunlight into electricity which is then stored in a battery for later use. The process of doing this is known as solar energy conversion.
While fossil fuels allow us to generate electricity quickly (think: gas stations), they are expensive and can cause pollution. These are the main reasons why most people are now turning to solar energy instead. If we compare the cost of fossil fuels to that of a solar system, you will see that solar energy is often cheaper. In some places, like Germany, solar electricity is already cheaper than the conventional energy source and continues to decline in cost. This makes it evident that in the long term, solar energy will most likely replace fossil fuels.
How Does Solar Energy Work?
When sunlight is converted to electricity, it is no longer limited to being available only during the day. This is a huge advantage for us as we can use it at any time of the day. As a result, we can store more energy on a per day basis thanks to the ability to generate electricity at all times.
Unlike fossil fuels which are used to generate electricity, sunlight is free. This means we can generate electricity whenever we want without having to worry about running out of a fuel source. In most situations, installing a solar-powered electricity system is quite easy and it doesn’t require very high skills. If you’re looking to install an energy system, you might consider this a plus because it can be done by almost anyone.
In some places, like Germany, there are even companies that provide DIY kits so that even those without technical expertise can install a solar-powered system on their own property. With the cost of solar modules declining dramatically and the potential to reduce your carbon footprint significantly, it is evident that solar energy is the way to go. If you’re curious as to how much energy your local solar system can generate, you could perform a quick Internet search and find numerous places where you can calculate this information easily. These numbers can help you decide whether or not to invest in solar energy for yourself.
The Rise In Popularity
In the not-so-distant past, solar energy was considered a luxury reserved for the wealthy. However, in recent years, its popularity has skyrocketed. Today, anyone can become an investor in a solar energy system because of the affordable prices associated with this energy technology. In fact, Germany has a special sub-sector for solar energy, known as ‘solar thermal power’, which makes it possible for anyone to invest in this form of energy. In Germany, this form of power is extremely popular and new installations are being built all the time. This trend is being repeated all over the world, which should come as no surprise considering that solar energy allows for many possibilities in terms of generating power and the ability to reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
The Unexpected Applications
Although solar energy has traditionally been used to generate electricity, it has found other applications. For example, in some places (particularly countries where the climate is cold), people use it to generate heat through a process known as ‘solar thermal power’. This is achieved by placing absorbing surfaces, such as parabolic troughs or central tower systems, in direct sunlight. As you may imagine, this can be a labor-intensive process and therefore, not very energy-efficient. However, in places where heat is needed (eg.: space heating), it is a very efficient and popular option. In some situations, this form of energy is more economic than traditional fossil fuel counterparts. This is why many homeowners choose to install solar energy systems to generate heat. Some even go a step further and use the electricity produced to heat water which is then available to use for bathing or cleaning.
If you’re interested in exploring these types of applications or want to find out more about the different ways you can use solar energy, there are numerous places on the Internet that you can learn about. For example, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) provides an in-depth look at the various uses of this technology.
The Savings
One of the reasons why solar energy is an environmentally-conscious choice is because of the cost savings that it can offer. In most situations, we are not immediately aware of how much money we are spending on conventional forms of energy. However, if you compare the cost of solar energy to that of fossil fuels, you will see that in most cases, it is significantly cheaper. In fact, in some places, solar energy is already cost-effective and continues to decline in cost. This makes it evident that in the long term, solar energy will most likely replace fossil fuels.
The more you know, the more you save. Sometimes, it is not easy to see the real cost of something immediately. However, if you perform a little bit of research, you may be able to find the numbers. In most cases, we aren’t immediately aware of how much money we are spending on energy because we fail to calculate it accurately. In a nutshell, putting a solar energy system on your roof can help you avoid unnecessary costs and significantly reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Hopefully, this article has helped answer all of your questions and more about solar energy. In many places, it is already significantly cheaper than conventional forms of energy and continues to decline in cost. In the long term, there is no question that this will be the preferred option for most people.