0
Clouds
Night
Quite expensive to make and install panels in the first place
unless you have a battery that is able to be recharged with lots of energy
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What are three reasons why is it a good idea to use solar power?
1. Saves you money in the long run, as you generate your own power and don't have to buy it. 2. Less energy spent bringing energy to you. 3. No pollution (greenhouse gases) compared with fossil fuel power.
Can Solar energy reduce carbon dioxide pollution?
Solar energy has emerged as a crucial player in the global effort to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution and combat climate change. Here's how solar energy contributes to this vital goal: 1. Clean Energy Production: Solar energy systems harness the power of the sun to generate electricity. Unlike fossil fuels, solar power generation produces zero direct emissions of CO2 and other harmful pollutants. This clean energy source reduces the reliance on carbon-intensive electricity generation methods. 2. Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: By displacing electricity generated from fossil fuels, solar energy significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This includes CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide, which are the primary contributors to global warming and climate change. 3. Mitigating Air Pollution: Solar power helps improve air quality by reducing the emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants can have severe health impacts and contribute to respiratory diseases and smog formation. 4. Sustainable Development: Solar energy promotes sustainable development by providing a clean and renewable energy source. It reduces the pressure on finite fossil fuel resources and helps create a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure. 5. Grid Decentralization: Distributed solar energy systems, such as rooftop solar panels, reduce the need for long-distance electricity transmission. This minimizes energy losses during transmission and enhances grid efficiency. 6. Energy Independence: Solar energy reduces dependence on fossil fuel imports and volatile energy markets. It empowers individuals, businesses, and communities to generate their electricity, fostering energy independence. 7. Incentives and Policies: Many governments worldwide offer incentives, tax credits, and favorable policies to encourage solar energy adoption. These measures accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources and carbon reduction. 8. Technological Advancements: Ongoing advancements in solar technology, such as high-efficiency solar panels and energy storage solutions, further enhance the capacity of solar energy to reduce CO2 emissions. Solar energy alone cannot solve the global climate crisis, but it plays a pivotal role in transitioning to a low-carbon energy landscape. As technology advances and solar infrastructure expands, the reduction in carbon dioxide pollution will continue to be a significant benefit of solar energy adoption.
What are the problems of solar energy?
There are several problems with solar energy. Most of these problems though are being solved. Solar energy has come a long way in just the last few years. 1. Cost - the single largest hurdle solar energy faces is that competing energy sources have always been cheaper in terms of dollars per kilowatt-hour (a standard measure). Compared to electricity from coal-fired power plants, solar is more expensive - if you don't consider the environmental costs (which typically are hard to asses a dollar amount to). But in recent years solar power is becoming closer and closer to grid-parity on price especially with the introduction of new types of solar panel chemistry like Cadmium telluride. 2. Site suitablity - many sites don't receive enough solar energy to make solar energy cost effective. Cloudy areas with frequent rain are often not as well suited for solar panels because typically solar panels need direct sun to produce the most power. That's changing though, new panels can now use diffuse light on cloudy days to still produce power. With prices going down steadily, more sites would be feasible that once were not. 3. Embodied energy - It takes a tremendous amount of energy to produce a solar panel. Because of this - depending on the type of panel and the way it was made - the panel itself may have required 11 years worth of its energy production just to make it. So if that's the case, the panel won't begin making 'new' energy until it has been operating for 11 years. It takes energy to make them, and you can think of this like taking out an 'energy loan' and so the loan must be paid back before an 'energy profit' can be made. Again, this is changing, new panels are made more efficiently, and require less material than older technologies so the 11 years is highly dependent on the type of panel and the manufacturing process. 4. Production and Demand - Typically solar panels produce the most energy during the middle of the day and somewhat less before and after than. Also, solar panels produce the most power during the summer. To the extent that demand for power does not coincide with this production curve, other sources of energy must be used to fill in, or some sort of storage (like batteries) is needed. 5. Materials - The material used to make solar panels is in short supply or the supply has fluctuated. This, again, depends on the type of panel, some panels don't have this problem. Shortages in materials mean it can be hard for producers to meet demand - thus pushing up the cost - which is the main stumbling block for the adoption of solar energy.
Where are solar panels most effective?
Solar panels are most effective in regions with abundant sunlight and favorable environmental conditions for solar energy production. Several factors contribute to the effectiveness of solar panels in different locations: 1. Sunlight Intensity: Solar panels perform best in areas with high sunlight intensity. Regions closer to the equator often experience more sunlight throughout the year, resulting in higher energy yields from solar panels. 2. Climate Conditions: Favorable climate conditions, such as minimal cloud cover and low humidity, contribute to the effectiveness of solar panels. Areas with consistent clear skies and ample sunlight hours are ideal for maximizing solar energy production. 3. Tilt and Orientation: Proper tilt and orientation of solar panels play a crucial role in their effectiveness. Panels angled towards the sun's path (south-facing in the northern hemisphere and north-facing in the southern hemisphere) and adjusted based on latitude can optimize sunlight capture and energy generation. 4. Shading and Obstructions: Avoiding shading from trees, buildings, or other obstructions is essential for solar panel effectiveness. Unobstructed sunlight exposure ensures maximum energy output from solar panels throughout the day. 5. Solar Irradiance Levels: Solar irradiance, which refers to the amount of sunlight received per unit area, varies based on geographic location. Areas with higher solar irradiance levels typically experience greater solar panel effectiveness and energy production. 6. Environmental Factors: Factors such as air pollution, dust accumulation, and temperature variations can impact solar panel performance. Clean panels and suitable environmental conditions contribute to maintaining optimal effectiveness and energy conversion efficiency. In summary, solar panels are most effective in regions characterized by ample sunlight, favorable climate conditions, proper panel orientation, minimal shading, high solar irradiance levels, and conducive environmental factors.
What are the disadvantages of solar power?
1) Initial cost of the equipment used for the solar energy, although the costs are getting less expensive.2) A large area for the solar energy installation is needed to provide enough energy, so it is a disadvantage in locations where there is limited space. Because a large area needs to be harnessed, the costs to cover that area with equipment will increase.3) Pollution and clouds reduce the energy of the sun's rays.4) Useful primarily when the sun is shining, but that eliminates most of the cloudy weathers and night times.5) Location of the solar panels affect performance. If you're in a place with skyscrapers or other architectures (or landscapes), they may block out the sun.6) Some PV panels do not work well in warm temperatures. Keeping units cool requires energy.7) Batteries are required to store energy.8) Useful sunlight is very brief. Some areas will have very minimal energy input.9) Solar panels decay fairly quickly. Most are at 75% of their best efficiency in under twenty five year.10) The output is direct current. This must be converted into a useful energy before most appliances will operate on the power.Solar power is great overall, but some disadvantages are that solar panels, installation, and repairs are VERY expensive. Also, the weather can effect the efficiency of the solar panels. Solar panels can only process energy throughout the day, even though it usually has enough power saved up to run everything all through the night, which is another disadvantage. And pollution levels can also effect the solar panels efficiency.The disadvantages of solar is that the sun only shines about half of the time. During the dark hours of the day, no solar energy can be produced.Cost, energy needed to make panels1. Solar energy can only be harnessed when it is daytime and sunny.2. Solar collectors, panels and cells are relatively expensive to manufacture although prices are falling rapidly.3. Solar power stations can be built but they do not match the power output of similar sized conventional power stations. They are also very expensive.4. In countries such as the UK, the unreliable climate means that solar energy is also unreliable as a source of energy. Cloudy skies reduce its effectiveness.5. Large areas of land are required to capture the suns energy. Collectors are usually arranged together especially when electricity is to be produced and used in the same location.6. Solar power is used to charge batteries so that solar powered devices can be used at night. However, the batteries are large and heavy and need storage space. They also need replacing from time to time.Photovoltaics (PV) panels have 3 major drawbacks1) they require a substantial initial investment ($15,000.00-$50,000.00 for a whole house set up)2) they have an effective life of 25 years or less3) they are relatively inefficient, processing only limited wavelengths of sunlight into electricitysure that they don't work at night also they don't work in a cloudy day of if it's raining.they are a renovale way to produce electricity, and they produce much energy if the weather's sunny almost the whole year, if you are in africa those solar panels are the right for you cheaper and you don't have to pay electricty bills every month!1. Solar energy can only be harnessed when it is daytime and sunny.2. Solar collectors, panels and cells are relatively expensive to manufacture although prices are falling rapidly.3. Solar power stations can be built but they do not match the power output of similar sized conventional power stations. They are also very expensive.4. In countries such as the UK, the unreliable climate means that solar energy is also unreliable as a source of energy. Cloudy skies reduce its effectiveness.5. Large areas of land are required to capture the suns energy. Collectors are usually arranged together especially when electricity is to be produced and used in the same location.6. Solar power is used to charge batteries so that solar powered devices can be used at night. However, the batteries are large and heavy and need storage space. They also need replacing from time to time.
What is 3 renewable energy resources?
Solar, wind, hydro.
3 examples of energy transformations?
Want to know what to examples of energy transformation. They are , turning on a light bulb and solar panels.
What are 3 benefits of solar power energy?
They are a renewable source of energy, they are quiet and they produce no pollution.
Why is solar energy used for aerospace technology?
solar energy used becz 1)renewable 2)low cost 3)it can be used as power puffs in aerospace
Compare human use of solar energy with our use of fossil fuel energy?
Solar energy makes up about 3% of world energy use.Fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) make up about 90% of world energy use.
What are 5 renewable energies?
1. Solar energy 2. Geothermal energy 3. Wind energy 4. Wave energy 5. Tidal energy
What are 3 sources of thermal energy?
Combustion, solar radiation, and Nuclear reactions.
Why is solar energy the best?
1. It is a reasonably constant source. 2. It is 'renewable'. 3. The source of the energy is free.
What are the 3 ways solar energy can be used?
1) Direct Applications (Solar Cooker, etc.) 2) Electricity Generation by PV technology (Solar Panels etc.) 3) Concentrated Solar Thermal Power generation technology (PS20 etc.)
What are three reasons why is it a good idea to use solar power?
1. Saves you money in the long run, as you generate your own power and don't have to buy it. 2. Less energy spent bringing energy to you. 3. No pollution (greenhouse gases) compared with fossil fuel power.
What are the 3 areas of energy research that scientist are working on today?
solar, hybrid and wind
What are 3 inexhaustible?
Three inexhaustible sources of energy are, wind, sun (solar) and tidal. :)
