According to national renewable energy laboratory, one hour of sunlight received by earth is enough to meet the annual energy needs globally. Environmental protection advantages are the main stimulus in advocating solar energy. When using the conventional and current fossil fuels, such as coal and gas, for generating electricity, it creates an abundance of land, water and air pollution. Air pollution caused by electricity generated from fossil fuels leads to acidic rain, damaged forest areas, and impacted agricultural production leading to globally substantial capital loss. Using fossil fuels for nuclear power plants also causes environmental disasters, while polluting air and water supply. Implementing the use of solar energy would eradicate these unsanitary and treacherous ramifications.
Solar energy is luminous energy emitted by sunlight. Solar panels work by allowing particles of light to relinquish electrons free from atoms, inducing a flow of electricity. The solar panel’s photovoltaic cells permute this energy from sunlight into electricity. This DC (direct current) is then converted to AC (alternating current) using an inverter. The solar panel’s electrical system directs power to a building or home’s appliances and lights.
For thousands of years, people have used the sun’s rays for warmth and to dry meats, and grains. Progressively, individuals have developed technologies to accumulate solar energy and permute it into electricity. First documented in 1830, British astronomer John Herschel used a solar oven to cook food during an excursion to Africa. Today, people use thermal energy solar systems to heat swimming pools, water for home usage, buildings, greenhouses, and fluids to elevated temperatures in solar thermal power plants. Since solar panel fragments don’t easily deteriorate, most of them are guaranteed for 25-30 years. However, many solar arrays are renowned for continued production of aseptic and sanitary electricity beyond their life expectancy.
“Going green” and utilizing various Solar power components also carries many beneficial aspects related to climate change and environmental protection. The validity of solar energy can be associated with the lack of carbon emissions produced from their use, as it is able to confine climate change. Solar energy is also contributed to habitat destruction prevention. Mining for nuclear fuels or fossils involves the destruction of forests which are statistically home to nine out of ten land animals. Forest and habitat destruction also lead to an increase in climate change due to the increase in carbon dioxide exposure, which is removed by and stored in trees. Climate change also contributes to the extinction of many species globally due to the lack of habitability. Impeded weather patterns also induce an increase of flooding and other climate change plights. This is why solar energy usage is tremendously paramount.
Since fossil fuels are mined and transported over distant intervals, this puts solar energy at a significant advantage simply because it’s free and uses clean sunlight. Although many may assume that the cost of solar PV panels is exorbitant, their price has actually decreased by 60%, in addition to the decreased cost of solar electricity systems by over 50%. As a result, solar energy is now rivaling traditional energy sources. Solar energy incorporation is of critical functionality in environmental protection, aiding in the social and economic aspects of life and developing jobs and research.
