WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY?

In recent years solar energy has achieved a great technological development for the benefit of human beings, in this article we will analyze what benefits solar energy has 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY?

Below we list what are the benefits of solar energy

Benefits of solar energy

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY?

Electricity from solar panels is a form of green and renewable energy that does not emit CO  2 or other pollutants. A normal solar installation for a home can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 2 tons per year, which means more than 40 tons for the entire life cycle.

Sunlight is free, so once the initial investment is paid, your annual electricity costs will decrease considerably. In several European countries, governments provide support for the generated solar energy, even if you use it yourself.

Why invest in your own solar installation?

A solar photovoltaic installation is your own source of green energy.
Your long-term electricity costs are decreasing.
Or you receive a payment for the electricity you generate or use less electricity from the network. In some countries both. This reduces your electricity bill and can even generate income in some countries.
By using 100% green electricity, it helps reduce CO 2 emissions   .
Solar installations last a lifetime. It requires very little maintenance and has a lifespan of more than 40 years.
Solar panels do not make noise and can be visually discrete.
A solar installation can increase the value of your property and improve your energy efficiency index.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR ENERGY?

Solar energy allows you to take advantage of the energy that comes from solar radiation. One way to take advantage of sunlight is to convert radiation into electrical energy (photovoltaic solar energy) or thermal energy (solar thermal energy).

Photovoltaic solar energy requires a chemical process to obtain a continuous current, while solar thermal energy only requires a thermodynamic process.

The characteristics of solar energy imply certain advantages over other sources of energy. Mainly if the other sources of energy are non-renewable energies that come from fossil fuels. But although solar energy is compared with other sources of renewable energy, some advantages can also be appreciated.

Although the characteristics are different in photovoltaic solar installations and in solar thermal installations, we will treat the advantages globally.

The main advantages of solar energy are the following:

  • Solar energy is a renewable energy and, therefore, it is inexhaustible
  • Low pollution and respect for the environment.
  • Installations with a reduced installation and maintenance cost.
  • Favorable for isolated sites.
  • Favorable public opinion

Inexhaustible source of energy

The most notable advantage of solar energy is that it is a renewable energy, so it is considered inexhaustible. This type of energy comes from the Sun so it will not run out as long as the Sun does not run out.

The energy emitted by the Sun is not inexhaustible, but it is estimated that it has a life of 5,000 million years. For this reason, on a human scale, solar energy is considered inexhaustible.

Low pollution and respect for the environment

A great advantage of solar energy is related to low pollution in the environment. This property helps to reduce the greenhouse effect.

From the point of view of pollution, we distinguish two moments:

  • During the manufacture of solar equipment. In this process, pollution is not non-existent, but it is reduced and controllable. It must be borne in mind that the manufacture of solar panels, batteries and other elements requires a consumption of electrical energy. Likewise, it also requires certain contaminating materials (plastics, metals, etc.) that must be recycled at the end of their useful cycle.
  • During the production of solar energy. In operation, solar thermal and photovoltaic installations do not generate any type of environmental contamination. Unlike non-renewable energies, such as thermal power plants that use fossil fuels, solar power plants do not contribute to the greenhouse effect or global warming of the planet.

Maintenance and cost of solar installations

Solar installations, especially in homes, have the advantage that they do not require major maintenance, the maintenance costs are minimal.

Solar panels are becoming stronger every day and their cost is decreasing over time. This allows solar energy to be economically an increasingly viable solution.

Among the different types of solar installations, we highlight the solar thermal installations compared to the photovoltaic solar energy. The main advantage of these solar installations is their low investment cost. This type of facility is generally used to heat water and use it as sanitary hot water or heating.

The use of solar radiation is free.

Energy accessibility

Solar energy is an excellent resource for places that are difficult to access or very far from the electricity networks installed. For example, shelters, mountain homes, etc. Depending on the characteristics of the environment, solar energy can be a great advantage respecting renewable energies. 

For its small-scale installation, it does not require large investments in transmission lines.

In tropical countries, the yield of solar energy is even higher due to the amount of solar radiation they receive annually in almost the entire territory.

Public opinion favorable to renewable energies

Solar energy is a renewable energy. Its use does not imply a depletion of natural resources. This characteristic means that, in general, solar energy has a high acceptance and popularity among the population.

Compared with other sources of non-renewable energy, it is perceived as a source of clean, sustainable energy; a great advantage over fossil energy generated with coal, oil or natural gas.

Compared to other sources of renewable energy, the perception regarding sustainability is similar, but with respect to the impact on the environment, it still has an advantage. This difference is due to the visual impact of the windmills in the case of wind energy or the impact of the construction of a reservoir in the case of hydraulic energy.

Another aspect in favor of solar energy is safety, especially when compared to nuclear energy. The general perception of the population is that the risk that is assumed in case of accident in a solar power plant is practically null, while in a nuclear power plant the impact is maximum.

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