In 2014, the European Union had a 37% energy usage rate. This is equivalent to 54.4 million tonnes of CO2 being emitted per year. This is higher than the EU average rate of 32%, showing that a lot of energy is consumed in Europe. If we reduce our energy consumption, then we can reduce the effects of climate change.
There are many reasons why solar energy is the best choice for the future of energy. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most important benefits of solar energy.
Clean and Renewable
With rising concerns over climate change, the need for renewable energy sources is evident. If we compare the lifecycle of solar energy to that of fossil fuels, we find that solar energy is much more environmentally friendly. In general, solar energy production causes less environmental pollution. Fossil fuels are known to contribute to global warming. However, solar installations are generally pollution-free, since they don’t require any raw materials and don’t emit any foul gases during their operation.
The production of solar energy is also completely dependent on the sun and will stop as soon as the sun doesn’t shine. This makes it a bit more unpredictable as far as supply is concerned. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are widely available and can be pumped out of the ground at any time. They don’t require any special treatment other than refining and transporting to energy-hungry areas. The reliance on fossil fuels has led to worries of energy security. The situation is made worse by the fact that much of the world’s fossil fuels are located in the Middle East, which is a politically unstable area. This makes it risky to store large amounts of oil in a single location. The production of solar energy does not suffer from these vulnerabilities. This is one of the major reasons why solar energy is the best choice for the future of energy.
Low-Cost and High-Efficiency
Solar energy has been known to be among the most cost-effective forms of energy. This is because it is relatively easy to establish a solar power plant compared to most other forms of energy, such as wind or nuclear power. What’s more is that the initial costs of a solar power plant are typically low. This is because the prices of solar technology have declined significantly in recent years and the cost of installing solar panels is not that high. When you add up the cost of the panels and the inverters that convert the direct current generated by the panels into alternating current that can be used by your home or business, you will see that solar energy is generally a very cost-effective option.
The efficiency of a solar power plant depends on many factors, such as the type of panels used and how they are interconnected. When it comes to solar thermal power plants, the efficiency can be as high as 90%, which is much higher than that of photovoltaic power plants, which tend to achieve around 30% to 40% efficiency. The efficiency of a photovoltaic plant is high because only a small portion of the light is converted into electricity. The rest is lost due to reflection off the panels or through black-hole effect. This is where the 90%+ efficiency of a solar thermal plant comes in. The higher the efficiency of your solar energy source, the more energy you will generate for your home or business.
No Maintenance
Maintaining a solar power plant is very simple. You just need to make sure that the panels are cleaned and the batteries are charged. This is generally all that’s required. There are no special tools or personnel needed to maintain a solar power plant. This is different from most other forms of energy, such as coal or nuclear power plants, where regular inspections, maintenance, and cleanup are essential parts of running a successful power plant. The lack of maintenance makes a solar power plant more reliable and eco-friendly.
Energy Diversification
In some areas, especially North America, energy costs are likely to increase in the coming years. The primary cause of this is the growing dependence on fossil fuels. To reduce the effects of energy volatility, it is important to diversify your energy sources. For example, if you use a lot of energy for home heating, it makes sense to also use energy for charging your phone, laptop, or other devices. This is where solar energy comes in. You can use it to charge all kinds of electronics and appliances at no additional cost.
If you want to reduce your exposure to the risks associated with fossil fuels, then solar energy is the best choice. It’s highly scalable and offers a variety of benefits. This is why many large cities have decided to go solar, cutting their energy bills and improving their air quality at the same time.
Whether you use solar power directly on your roof or lease a solar energy system, the benefits are numerous. It’s time to stop relying on unreliable energy sources and start producing our own clean, renewable energy.