Top 5 Reasons to Harness Solar Energy

As the name suggests, ’Solar energy’ is the energy that is obtained from the sun. Many communities around the world have worshipped the sun as a God for the heat and light it provides.

There is no doubt that our sun is rich in energy.

The limitless energy that the Sun produces can be harnessed to produce electricity. If done properly the sun is going to be a limitless source of energy for generations to come. 

If you still have doubts about harnessing the energy of the sun. Read on, to find 5 reasons to motivate you to harness solar power.

#1. Solar Energy is Freely Available

Every day at the crack of dawn, the solar energy from the sun reaches the earth providing heat and light. This has been happening for millions of years without fail. But still, we have not been able to fully harness this infinite energy source available to us.  

Archaeologists have uncovered that ancient Egyptian were harnessing Solar energy. There is some evidence that ancient people were using the sun to heat things by concentrating the sun’s radiations. If ancient people can use energy with limited resources and technologies, why can’t we harness something available for free?

The energy Earth receives from the sun is 10,000 times more than the total energy demands of this whole planet. This freely available energy can be converted to electrical energy using solar PV cells or solar panels.

The only investment you would need to make would be on these solar panels. which once set up will provide you with unlimited energy for years to come.

#2. Solar Energy Doesn’t Pollute

The electricity produced using solar energy doesn’t pollute or emit any greenhouse gases. The increased use of solar energy will have a positive impact on the environment. As solar energy will help in reducing the use of fossil fuels. And someday replace other energy sources that are harmful to the environment.

Unlike fossil fuels, Solar power as an energy source doesn’t emit any toxic gases. That means producing electricity using solar panels will help in reducing air pollution. And help in slowing down the effect of climate change.

Moreover, if you install solar panels at your home. You can do your bit for the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.

#3. Reliable Energy Source

The sun is more than 4 billion years old and is showing up on time consistently over years. It is highly likely it will be there for the next billion years to come. That is more than your lifetime and many of your future generations to come.

Without a miss, the Sun shows up in the morning and leaves in the evening to light up other parts of the globe. You can harness the energy of the sun irrespective of the part of the globe you are in. The use of Solar energy is not limited to producing electricity. It can be utilized in many different ways like water heating and cooking.

#4. Unlimited Source of Energy

The sun provides us with an unlimited source of energy. MIT professor Washington Taylor says that every day earth is hit by 173,000 terawatts (trillions of watts) of solar. This energy is 10,000 times the total energy needs of our planet.

The improved utilization of solar energy with improved energy storage techniques can help in getting rid of all fossil fuel-based energy sources. 

The sun alone can meet all the energy needs of our planet and help us solve all the words’ energy-related problems.

#5. Reducing the Use of Fossil Fuels

As discussed above solar energy is an unlimited source of energy. If harnessed properly it can solve all our energy-related problems. Unlike, fossil fuels the solar energy can be retrieved free of cost and it is renewable.

By taking the advantage of this free-flowing energy source we can reduce our reliance on energy sources that are polluting. Fossil fuels cost us a lot in ways of damage caused while extracting them and emissions of greenhouse gases when used to produce energy.

Why?

By now you might be thinking that why this unlimited and pollution-free energy source is just lying around and not being used to optimal levels. 

One of the main reasons for the lack of solar energy utilization is that the technology needed is still in the development phase. And We still don’t have the technology for the mass storage of electricity being produced by the Sun.

Another reason is that sunlight is dissipated all through the planet. We need to make collective efforts to harness the sun to maximum ability.

To better harness solar energy, we need to develop better energy collecting and storage techniques.

You can find below the list of three energy collecting techniques being used to collect solar energy.

#1. The Reflection Method

In the reflection method, the rays from the sun are concentrated to one point using a single or set of mirrors. The heat is produced on the concentrated point which is then used for cooking or related things that involves heat. Parabolic mirrors are also used to capture the sun’s rays and focussing them on a single point to produce heat.

This method is commonly used in processes where heat is needed especially cooking processes. 

#2. The Solar Radiation

The radiation method is the key principle behind solar water heaters. In this method, glass pipes are used to capture solar radiation. These radiations further heat the water captured in between those layers of the glass.

#3. Solar Panels

Solar panels or solar cells are made up of silicon crystals, which when hit by sun rays produce electricity. This electricity can be used immediately or can be stored in rechargeable batteries to be used later.

The invention of solar panels has done wonders in helping convert solar energy to electricity for everyday use. These panels can be used directly at our home or factories to produce electricity and utilize electricity as it is being produced.

What’s Stopping Us from Mass Adoption?

Solar power has many benefits but still, we are far away from the mass adoption of solar energy. Although, a lot of development has happened in the solar energy field. But, still cost and reliability is preventing the mass adoption of solar energy.

The technological limitation to efficiently produce the electricity and its storage are major hurdles. Research and developments are being made in this field which has produced highly efficient solar cells.

Many hybrids versions are being worked out where solar panels are being used to reduce the reliance on energy produced from other sources of energy.  

Setting up a solar plant at home is still expensive but it pays for itself with time with the amount saved in paying for the electricity bills. The future is bright for solar panels, you will soon see panels being installed in houses and even a common person being able to afford the solar energy plants.