Can solar energy "save the world" in future?
Can solar energy "save the world" in future?
The sunlight comes for free and converting it into electricity results in no greenhouse gases. Moreover, the process of getting solar energy is getting cheaper every year. It indicates that solar energy might soon be a big contributor to the world’s energy mix. However, the unavailability at odd times and odd places questions the significance of solar power. Can the problems associated with solar energy be solved or is it factually stated as environmental friendly convenient replacement to fossil fuels? What is your opinion on the topic, Will solar energy have the potential "for saving the world" in the future?
Yes
• The world is in the midst of structural changes in energy infrastructure. As the people strive to minimize the pollution damage in the fossil fuel intensive society, the use of solar power becomes extensive.
• Talking about Germany, which is almost six times the population density of the U.S., is now the global renewable energy leader across world.
• The advancement in technology will lead to increase in energy demand, and only solar panels will have capacity to meet the demand.
• Let us take the example of internet which is now known for its decentralized bidirectional network. The solar power energy will witness a similar evolution.
• The solar energy can now be generated at low costs. There are many enterprising nations that provide off-grid solar power to Indian villages at prices that the local people can afford.
No
• The problem is not the energy generation from the available renewable energy resources; the problem is unavailability of proper means of storage which can allow using the power when these energy sources are not productive.
• The solar energy can only change the world when it is assisted by proper means of generating power and storage. It requires more investment and time in R&D process.
• The latest developed process of fracking indicates that even inaccessible sources of fossil fuels can be discovered and used by technological advance. There are many untapped resources in this world like clathrates. With the availability of such resources, why invest in solar power?
• Photovoltaic energy generation is not regular and results in multiple knock-on problems making it an ineffective option.
• If we talk about Germany, the solar energy market is working due to the subsidies provided by government. It is a huge cost on any nation’s economy.
Conclusion
The demand for energy is rising at an alarming rate. It is almost doubling ever forty years. Unless something changes significantly, the use of energy will continue to increase over the next four decades. Nature and humanity are playing an interesting game much like the game, wheat-on-the-chessboard proposed in a story by a cunning person to a mathematically young monarch. If the world doesn’t want to end the game in disaster it should start considering the alternative of solar power. It does ask for investments but then it is going to be the only source providing infinite source of energy in future.
Discussion
- RE: Can solar energy "save the world" in future? -Deepa Kaushik (12/29/14)
- Solar energy is a very good back up for the energy resource. But that has many other concerns. When we say ”solar energy” as a source that could save us in future, then we need to check on the pros and cons of the same. There are many hidden points to this clause, which actually makes it an indispensable measure at every sphere of life.
Solar energy has the prime requirement of the natural resource of sunlight. There are many areas in the world which could hardly receive the warmth of sun. we cannot even dream of this project in those regions. This clearly waives of the point of the universal usage of “solar energy”. Coming on to its continuous usage; the solar energy cannot be stored to be used later. It requires the continuous source of sunlight, which is not possible in colder regions of the world.
Coming on to the investment in the project for the utilisation of solar energy; the infrastructural input is a lot more than the effective output received by the same. This kind of energy resource can be made use of in the hotter areas where sunlight has its direct impact round the year. Again, the solar energy and its implantation is practically more efficacious in larger set-ups like restaurants, offices etc. the same cannot be very much preferred for the domestic usage.
Though “Solar energy” can help in saving some of the regions of the world, still we cannot confidently rely on the same to be called the protector in terms of power and energy output.
