For years, we have been told that burning fossil fuels to generate electricity is harmful to the planet. But lately, the environmental movement has taken a turn, and they are now embracing clean energy, especially solar power.
The general public has become enamored with the promise of a pollution-free electricity supply, and many countries around the world are now taking advantage of this new found interest and generating more electricity from renewable sources.
But just because something is “clean” doesn’t necessarily mean it is good for mankind. Sometimes, the so-called “clean” sources of energy are literally worse for the environment than the conventional ones. Luckily, this doesn’t apply to solar energy.
Here is a brief overview of why solar energy is preferable to traditional forms of energy generation, plus some important facts about the planet’s favorite source of power.
Why Should We Go Solar?
When it comes to choosing an energy source for our home, we often think about how much power we will need on a daily basis, where we will locate the panels, and if we will be able to afford them. But there is another important consideration—how much damage will we do to the environment while generating electricity?
When fossil fuels are burned, they usually give off toxic gases that are harmful to the environment. But the gases given off by solar panels are usually negligible, and in some cases, they are actually cleaner than the mainstream fuels that we normally use (such as natural gas).
This is largely because solar panels don’t emit any toxic gases during their operation, and they also don’t cause air pollution when they are installed and used properly.
Also, not every fossil fuel is created equal. Some contribute more to atmospheric pollution than others. For example, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) emits more toxic gases than gasoline or diesel fuel does. So when we are choosing fuels for our cars, we need to take into consideration how harmful the specific fuel is to the environment.
Clean Energy On A Global Scale
Around the world, countries are looking to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and are turning to renewable energy sources to power their homes and offices. And why not? We have all heard about the devastating effects that greenhouse gases have on the planet. So far, so good—but there is a catch.
While renewable energy sources such as solar power reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and help to protect the environment, it also provides less power than we need. This means that, in some cases, we are still left with more energy consumption than we had before we went green.
To put things in perspective, consider the following example: Say a country decides to invest heavily in solar power plants. They do this because they want to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and emit fewer toxins into the atmosphere. But because of a lack of investment in electricity storage, they end up with a lot of wasted energy.
This is where hydrogen comes in. By combining gas turbines with fuel cells, we can generate electricity while cutting down on our emissions. The end result is a clean energy source that is more efficient and has several advantages over solar power.
More Efficient
Hydrogen is a fuel that can be stored and transported easily, so it can be sent to where it is needed. This makes it an ideal solution for countries that want to wean themselves off fossil fuels but don’t have the resources to invest in energy storage. Of course, a side effect of storing energy in this manner is that we need to find a place to put all the extra hydrogen, which is usually done in a fuel tank.
Fuel cells are also more efficient than conventional methods of energy generation. They convert fuel into electricity more efficiently than any similar device. And because they are essentially pollution-free, they can be installed almost anywhere.
What is more, fuel cells don’t just generate electricity—they also heat up the water that is used as a transportation fuel. This is a huge advantage, especially in cold climates where we need to keep our hands and feet warm during the winter months. Conventional heating sources, such as fireplaces and heat pumps, usually have a few downsides: They are inefficient, they pollute the air, and they require constant maintenance.
Portable
Hydrogen is a fuel that can be stored and transported easily, so it can be sent to where it is needed. And because it is a renewable energy source, it can be generated on-site as needed. In many cases, this will mean that we can eliminate the need for a power station altogether.
The technology surrounding hydrogen is also becoming more portable. Some fuel cells now fit inside a metal container, which makes them much easier to move from place to place. They don’t need specialized vehicles or trucks to transport them either, which is great for those who want to generate electricity wherever they go.
Affordable
The price of hydrogen fuel cells has come down considerably in recent years, making them more affordable for consumers. This is mainly because the price of crude oil and other traditional fuels has dropped, which in turn lowers the production costs of hydrogen. What is more, subsidies and other government programs, such as the solar energy initiative, have made solar power more affordable.
On the other hand, the price of solar panels has increased, which in part is due to China implementing a tariff on exported solar panels. But this price is still significantly lower than that of other traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels and nuclear power. In many countries, solar power is now considered a luxury item, reserved only for the wealthy. This is starting to change, however, with more and more people able to purchase rooftop solar panels and have them installed by professionals. Once that initial investment is paid off, the returns on investment can be significant—especially if you live in a country with high energy bills (such as Australia).
No Longer Mined
Sodium nitrate, a byproduct of fertilizer mining, is usually used to make chlorine, which is then used to purify drinking water. In recent years, however, the world’s supply of this chemical has begun to decline, leading to a worldwide water crisis. What is more, there is also the potential it will become more difficult to mine in the future due to increased environmental regulations.
This is a problem that is very relevant for countries that depend on mining for their livelihood. As an example, consider the case of Chile, where 70% of the country’s revenue comes from mining. With the price of copper, the world’s most essential mining commodity, on the rise, this number could increase significantly in the coming years.
Now, instead of depending on mining for financial support, Chile and other South American countries are turning to renewable energy for their electronic needs. This reduces their exposure to price fluctuations in particular commodities, such as copper. As a result, the region’s economic stability is now at risk.
Luckily, there is an answer. Hydrogen fuel cells can be an efficient and sustainable source of power for the electronic goods that we purchase on a daily basis. If you take a close look at the mining industry, you will realize that almost all the products that we use each day were either created through mining or produced using mining-related technologies.
So as you can see, while there are many upsides to solar power, there are also some significant downsides as well. The fact is, we need to utilize all the tools available to us, and sometimes, the choice isn’t as clear-cut as we might like it to be. With this in mind, let’s examine the facts about solar energy and see if they support the stance that we should always go green when choosing our power source.
Importance Of Location
Location is one of the most important considerations when choosing a power source for our homes and businesses. This is because the voltage of an electrical network can be higher or lower than the voltage of a standard outlet that we use in North America. For example, many countries in Europe have 230V power outlets, while the standard North American outlet is 120V. This means that if we use 220V appliances in Europe, they might not work in Asia or Canada, where the supply is lower (220 vs. 240V).
In some cases, the appliances that we use in North America simply won’t work in other parts of the world, and vice versa. For example, many of the products that you might use throughout your home were designed for use with North American power supplies (120V). If we travel to another country and attempt to use these products there, we will probably experience problems due to a mismatch of some sort (110V vs. 120V).