I think we can all agree that our world would be a much better place if we had more access to solar energy. While it might seem like an impossible dream, the science behind solar power is progressing at a rate that makes it very possible for us to enjoy the benefits of clean, sustainable energy.
What exactly are those benefits? Let’s explore.
Clean Energy
It’s well-known that solar power is one of the cleanest forms of energy available. While it’s true that solar cells produce less pollution during their formation than some other energy sources (such as coal or oil), they don’t contribute to pollution after they’re made. In fact, solar power has been known to contribute to the improvement of air quality because it creates fewer emissions.
This is especially beneficial for residents of major cities who might otherwise be suffering from some of the worst air quality. In addition, because solar cells are made of a solid material, they can handle heavy wear and tear better than some other forms of energy.
Affordable
This might seem like a simple point to make, but it’s something most people don’t think about when it comes to energy. After all, we’re talking about electricity here, which is typically considered to be a luxury (or a necessity, if you’re living in a cold climate).
The price of solar energy has been declining over the years, thanks in part to massive government subsidies. As a result, more people are able to enjoy the luxury of clean energy than we’ve ever seen before. In fact, in 2017, solar energy was the cheapest source of energy available.
Sustainable
This is another point that’s sometimes overlooked when it comes to discussing energy. Especially in today’s world, where climate change is considered to be one of the biggest threats to earth (along with overpopulation and overconsumption), it’s become essential to find sustainable energy sources. When we consider how many people there are on this earth and how much energy we need to sustain our population’s energy usage, it’s clear that we need to find sustainable energy sources.
You might be asking yourself, “But wait! Doesn’t solar power contribute to climate change?”
While it’s true that we need to reduce our energy usage and avoid polluting the environment as much as possible, we also need to be mindful of how we generate the energy we use. In some cases, solar power can be more sustainable than you’d think. For example, if you’ve ever heard of photovoltaic cells, you might know that they’re made of thin layers of semi-conducting material that transform sunlight into electricity. When you think about it, sunlight is essentially free (in terms of the energy it provides us), whereas fossil fuels (such as oil and coal) are extracted from the earth and, as a result, carry with them a cost. In other words, fossil fuels are less sustainable than sunlight.
More Time
This might seem like a strange point to make, but there are actually some pretty good reasons why it’s important. For starters, we have more time. As I mentioned before, solar cells don’t contribute to pollution after they’re made, so there’s no rush to create them. In addition, we have more time to enjoy the benefits of clean energy. In some places, such as Germany and Israel, it’s even possible to enjoy the sunniness of a beautiful day while generating your own electricity through a solar power system.
The point is that we need time to adjust to the idea of having clean energy at our fingertips. While this might seem like an impossible dream, the potential for solar power is truly amazing. With the right support (such as government subsidies), we have the power to make this dream a reality. So, let’s do our best to make sure that everyone enjoys the benefits of solar energy as much as possible.