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Solar Work GP

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29 views3 pages

Solar Work GP

Uploaded by

mayaheeralal0
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Global Perspective

Fuel and energy


Issue: Alternate Method of producing energy (Solar Panels)
Group: A
Perspective: Global

Advantages:
 Solar energy is a renewable energy source and
reduces carbon emissions:
Solar energy is a renewable energy source, meaning you don’t ever
use it up. Solar energy is clean. It creates no carbon emissions or
other heat-trapping “greenhouse” gases. It avoids the
environmental damage associated with mining or drilling for fossil
fuels. Furthermore, solar energy also uses little to no water, unlike
power plants that generate electricity using steam turbines.

 Solar energy can reduce your home’s electricity bill:


A solar energy system for your home can reduce your reliance on
the grid and help you save on your electricity bill. Some owners of
residential solar energy systems may even have excess power that
they can sell to the utility. Instead of paying a utility for electricity,
homeowners get paid by the utility. You may not have to buy an
entire solar energy system to cut your home’s electricity bill. Simply
choose solar lights, lights that are powered by the sun instead of
your home’s electrical system, to help save money.

 Solar panels have low maintenance costs:


Solar panels are easy to maintain, as they have no moving parts
that wear out over time. Just keep them clean and in good physical
condition to keep them working properly. Between their low
maintenance costs and average lifespan of 25 years, it can be easy
to get your money’s worth when investing in solar panels.

 Solar energy can generate electricity in any


climate:
Solar energy systems can generate electricity in any climate. One of
the disadvantages of solar energy is that it’s subject to temporary
weather disruption. Cloudy days reduce the amount of electricity
you produce. Cold, however, doesn’t affect productivity. Snowfall
can actually help your solar system, as the snow cleans the panels
as it melts and sun reflected off the snow increases the amount of
light hitting your panels. The result is more electricity production.

Disadvantages:
 The high initial costs of installing panels:
The most commonly cited solar energy disadvantage, cost, is
declining as the industry expands. The initial cost to buy and install
the equipment is not cheap. Still, if cost is an issue, leasing options
may reduce the amount of your initial outlay. If you do choose to
buy, you will need to live in your home for a number of years before
the system pays for itself. It’s a long-term investment better suited
to property owners than renters.

 Solar energy storage is expensive:


Of the disadvantages of solar energy, the temporary decline in
energy production during bad weather has been a major issue. Days
with low solar energy, however, are having less of an effect due to
advances in battery technology. Old technology for storing solar
energy, like lead acid batteries are being replaced by alternatives.
Lithium ion batteries offer greater power at a lower cost. Nickel-
based batteries have an extremely long life. New technologies, like
flow batteries, promise scale and durable power storage.

 Solar doesn’t work for every roof type:


Not every room will work well with solar panels. Orientation matters.
If your roof doesn't face the sun, you won’t be able to capture
enough solar energy. Roofs that angle into the sun tend to work
better than flat roofs. Roofing materials like asphalt shingles, metal
and tiles make installing solar panels easier. If your room is made
with other materials, installation may be more expensive. Part of
what makes energy-efficient roofs is their ability to support solar
panels.

 Solar panels are dependent on sunlight:


It’s obvious that solar panels need sunlight to generate electricity.
They won’t produce electricity at night when you need it for light
and they can be inefficient during storms and gloomy days. Your
solar energy system needs batteries if you plan to fully depend on
solar energy to power your home. Batteries are one of the more
expensive components of your system. Unlike solar panels, they do
wear out and need careful maintenance to lengthen their lives.
Comparing wind power vs. solar power, wind will keep generating
electricity at night and during storms, as long as there is enough
wind. Many people use both in residential
systems.

 Solar panels are sometimes made with toxic


materials:
Solar panels are made up of silicon solar cells, a metal frame, and a
glass sheet. But depending on the brand and model, they can also
contain toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium. While some solar
panel manufacturers are starting to phase out these heavy metals,
the EPA considers most old solar panels hazardous, so you need to
dispose of them properly.

 Solar Power Plants Are Not the Most


Environmentally Friendly Option
The carbon footprint of solar energy is minimal. However, this
renewable still has some aspects, mainly related to land use and
waste generation that can still harm the environment. First and
foremost, solar power plants require space. For example, a solar
power plant to provide electricity for 1,000 homes would require 32
acres of land. This means that, in order to meet the US energy
consumption needs, nearly 19 million acres, equivalent to 0.8% of
the entire country, would be necessary.

Sources:
 www.constellation.com
 www.energysage.com
 earth.org

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