Solar energy is considered to grow in such a way that it provides electricity to at least 20% of the world population. Currently, this technology is applied mainly in remote places where conventional electrical energy does not reach, however, the objective of engineers and scientists is to ensure that this type of clean and renewable energy sustains activities in large cities.
Below we show you the 10 main advantages and disadvantages of solar energy today and focused on its future growth.
10 Advantages of solar energy
It is a renewable energy
This energy source generated by the sun is practically unlimited, abundant and sustainable. This is what most attracts the attention of scientists and engineers who want to achieve low-cost electricity generation that is sustainable for homes, buildings and care.
Currently, companies such as Tesla, Canadian Solar, and First Solar are allocating a large amount of monetary and scientific resources to create an adequate technology for the use of solar energy and thus depend less on polluting fossil fuels such as oil, gasoline, and gas. petroleum liquefied.
It is a great energy alternative
The photovoltaic system (solar panels) is ideal for use in homes and residential complexes, it can also be used in industries and other productive facilities, reducing dependence on energy sources that come from fossil fuels and in turn is positive for the environment.
Low greenhouse gas emission
The electricity generated by means of the Sun is free of contamination, in comparison with that which is generated by the combustion of fossils such as gas and oil.
With system installation there is no greenhouse gas emission, since its operation does not imply the release of these types of vapors, in addition to contributing to the reduction of the use of fossil fuels.
It has a low maintenance cost
The maintenance applied to the energy collector systems mostly have a low cost once they are installed.
Use in urban spaces
Photovoltaic or thermal systems can be used in urban constructions, roofs of buildings and houses, generating energy security in the places where it is installed.
Contributes to the productive use of desert regions
Desert areas are sparsely inhabited and abandoned regions, however, they are an excellent option for energy use through solar energy.
An example of this use is the “El Romero Solar” energy complex, a plant located in the Chilean desert that has 776,000 photovoltaic modules located in a space of 280 hectares.
The generation capacity is 246 MWp, producing electricity for the energy consumption of 240 thousand homes.
It has a variety of applications
Solar energy can be used for different purposes, since not only can electricity be generated through solar panels, but it is also possible to obtain heat to heat water and facilities through the use of thermal systems.
A great advantage of solar energy is that it is being used to generate self-sufficient electric cars. Companies like Tesla and Nio are pioneers in electric car technology using solar energy.
Thermal or energy generation through the sun depends on the technology applied.
Worldwide and off-planet availability
Solar energy is available worldwide, the sun is present in all corners of the Earth. Even in outer space, where It has been used in the International Space Station, which was supplied with electrical power on various expeditions.
Growing technological development
Day by day the solar energy industry increases its technological development, seeking to have great and fruitful improvements in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells that are more efficient, with longer duration and that are more economical.
Allows electrical access in remote locations
In places where access to the electricity grid is restricted due to high logistical costs, the use of photovoltaic systems is a very positive option, especially in rural areas, in order to enhance the agricultural production system.
With solar energy, irrigation and pumping systems can be put to work to obtain water from deep wells and freshwater reservoirs.
Land routes can be illuminated and emergency call booths can be put into operation in remote places, as well as large electric fences. It is also possible supply energy to agricultural production projects.
10 Disadvantages of solar energy
Involves a large use of tracts of land
The technology for large-scale electricity production from solar energy involves the use of huge tracts of land that can be used for other purposes such as agriculture or forestry.
Sunlight is highly variable
Each region has an angle of incidence of sunlight However, this varies throughout the day.
In the energy collection units that are immobile, the maximum energy use is difficult.
A high investment cost
The technology for the use of energy through the sun has a high cost on your initial investment.
Installing this photovoltaic system is a high expense, as is the acquisition of system components (photovoltaic modules, charge regulator, cables, and battery).
Has low energy efficiency
A negative fact of this system is that of all the sunlight captured by the photovoltaic panels, only one fifth is transformed into electrical energy.
Though there is the possibility of increasing efficiency with various materials, the financial cost rises drastically.
Even with this large investment, the efficiency will not exceed 30%.
It is highly dependent on backup systems
For the progressive maintenance of the level of energy expenditure, this system requires a backup unit.
That is, the system has to have an energy storage unit, such as batteries in search of have an energy provision when the light collection activity does not exist or is affected solar.
It can be affected by air pollution
This energy source is affected by factors associated with air pollution, since it can negatively intervene in energy capture.
Generation of toxic materials and their management and control
Energy production through the sun and photovoltaic systems bring with them the use of toxic chemicals for the environment such as cadmium sulfide and gallium arsenide.
The aforementioned chemical agents are extremely toxic and persist in the environment for long periods of time, so the control and disposal of these materials when they are not used in the energy production process represent a very serious environmental problem that must be assumed responsibly.
Large energy collection centers are located far from the main urban centers
The places with the greatest use of energy through sunlight are mostly far away from large cities, which have higher energy consumption.
This situation creates a logistical problem for the transfer of energy obtained through photovoltaic systems.
High dependence on atmospheric factors
Energy harvesting can drastically decrease on cloudy and rainy days.
Every hour of a day with bright sun means 10 kilowatts per square meter; while on a rainy day, the energy intake is less than one kilowatt per hour per square meter.
Also, the light has variations at different times of the year. In countries that are located in temperate zones, in the autumn and winter seasons they perceive fewer hours of sunlight.
There is no adequate and timely management of technical information
The users of this energy use system and the population in general do not have an adequate technical and operational knowledge of everything related to the system.
This situation causes the users depend exclusively on the companies installing the service for technical support in the cases of preventive and corrective maintenance.
This is a market strategy that affects users and does not generate prosperity for new entrepreneurs, in addition to raising costs for the aforementioned maintenance.