For centuries, people have struggled with how to generate renewable energy sources and become less dependent on fossil fuels. In the last decade or so, alternative energy has gained a lot of popularity, and many different options have emerged to combat climate change and reduce our carbon footprint. One promising area of renewable energy is solar power. What is solar power, how is it generated, and how can it benefit you? Here are just some of the answers to these questions.
What Is Solar Power?
Solar power is electricity generated directly from the sun. It doesn’t necessarily need to be stored, so it’s always available when you want it. When sunlight strikes a cell on the surface of the earth, it splits into photons, which are tiny particles that can travel through space. When these photons finally reach the surface of the earth, they cause electrons to move around within atoms in crystalline materials, such as silicon. This movement of electrons results in the generation of electricity. Although solar power is created and consumed in the same way as any other kind of power, it has the advantage of being environmentally sustainable and carbon-free.
How Is It Generated?
The majority of the world’s solar power is generated using photovoltaic cells, which work on the same principle as a conventional solar panel. The only difference is that the photovoltaic cell is integrated into a larger solar panel and can capture more energy. In some places, such as Australia, solar power is also generated using solar thermal energy, where the sun’s heat is used to drive a steam turbine, which in turn generates electricity.
Why Use It?
With the world’s population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, it’s evident that we have a big demand for energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy consumption is expected to increase by almost 60% by 2050. There are many reasons why using solar power is preferable to other forms of energy generation, but here are some of the most prominent ones.
- It’s environmentally friendly and carbon-free
- No need to store energy as heat, so there’s no risk of overheating (which could cause damage)
- No risk of explosion or fire as with fossil fuels
- No need to find places to store energy as with fossil fuels
- More reliable as it doesn’t depend on the weather
- No need to overhaul the grid to match supply and demand (which can be costly)
- Can be produced at any location, even if the place isn’t particularly sunny or windy
- Can generate electricity at any time of day, unlike some other forms of power
Benefits For Industry
The construction and farming industries are among the most prominent ones that stand to benefit a great deal from using solar power. The former is thanks to solar cookers and solar ovens, which provide a clean, renewable energy source for households and small businesses. The latter benefits from reduced fuel costs, as well as from the fact that farms can operate without using diesel-powered generators.
Benefits For Government
Every government stands to benefit from using solar power, whether it’s at the national or local level. At the federal level, governments can provide financial support for solar power projects that they choose to back. One of the best things about this option is that it allows governments to choose which projects to support and, in doing so, reduce their carbon footprint. At the local level, governments can reduce congestion and improve air quality by installing solar-powered street lights and park benches.
Considerations
The construction and farming industries are also two of the industries that stand to gain the most from using solar power. This is mainly because they operate on a large scale and have the ability to purchase and install large quantities of equipment easily. If you’re in the construction industry and want to generate some electricity, consider solar panels that can be integrated into existing building structures or equipment and have the ability to generate 15 kW or more. For farmers, look for equipment that can produce between 3.5 kW and 7.5 kW of electricity, which is enough to power an average family or small farm.
Considering all the benefits that solar power has to offer, it’s not difficult to see why the renewable energy sources are so appealing. With the world’s population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and the ever-increasing demand for electricity, it’s evident that we have a big demand for energy. If we’re to reduce our carbon footprint, let alone meet the demand, we’re going to need a lot of innovation and transformation.