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They can both be used to generate electricity. Coal is solar energy trapped by plants millions of year ago. It contains toxic materials including Mercury that is released into the atmosphere when it is burned. The carbon dioxide removed over millions of years is released quickly into the atmosphere.
Solar power is clean but cannot be cheaply stored to provide energy on cloudy days and at night.
It may be cheaper to combine solar and coal energy sources to overcome the limitations of both. For instance solar thermal energy can be used to turn coal into gas, which can be cleaned to remove toxic chemicals. The solar-gas can be stored to generate clean energy 24 hours a day.
A further description of how this might be done, combining solar and coal energy is here: http://blog.gerbilnow.com/2011/11/energy-business-opportunity.html
What else can I help you with?
Why do spacecraft use solar cells to generate electricity rather than burning coal?
Spacecraft use solar cells to generate electricity because coal combustion requires oxygen, which is limited in space. Solar cells can convert sunlight directly into electricity without the need for oxygen, making them a more practical and reliable choice for spacecraft power generation.
Why is solar power considered cleaner than a coal power plant?
Solar power is consider cleaner because it doesn't pollute the atmosphere with carbon dioxide (CO2) and it is easier to run. Both answers are sadly the common view and both are very wrong. Solar power systems are very complicated to run. The massive amount of complex equipment make solar a very difficult system to operate and maintain. They are also very high maintenance. Most solar power systems also have a backup fossil fuel plant that produces almost as much CO2 as would be produced without the solar array even being installed. This means that solar actually produces less then zero power. What it does do is allow for credits that moeset the CO2 produced and makes people feel good about the rising use of power and energy. Coal's issue is not CO2 either. Levels of CO2 have increased in out atmospere from 0.030 to 0.038% (questionably). Suloher dioxide is a much larger issue from coal and leads to acid rain.
What is the relationship between coal natural gas oil wood and sun?
they are all energy sources
How many power plants are there in MN?
There are 125 power plants in Minnesota, which include facilities generating electricity from various sources such as coal, natural gas, wind, and solar power.
Does solar energy create as much energy as coal?
"Create as much energy" is poorly defined. The amount of energy produced from solar energy will depend on the surface area used for solar panels, the weather, the efficiency of the panels, and for how long it is used. Similarly, the amount of energy produced by a coal power plant would depend on its size, its efficiency (which of course may also vary), and for how long it is used. Please think about what exactly you want to compare.
Is solar power better then coal power?
Solar power is more environment friendly than coal power. Solar power is, however, more expensive than coal power.
What are the power sources in Ireland?
Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.Electricity, wind, oil, gas, turf, coal and solar are amongst the sources of power in Ireland.
Why are there more coal power plants then solar power plants?
There are more coal plants than solar plants because the cost per Mega-Watt is much less using coal than solar power, and currently coal is more efficient. The problem today is that in a environmentally conscious society coal is a 'dirty' fuel, and solar power is clean. That is why environmentalists are pushing for more Solar (and wind) power generation.
Does solar power include coal and oil?
No, Solar Power is generated from Sunlight only.
What is an advatage of using coal power over solar power to generate electricity?
coal power can be generated at night
Is solar power better than coal?
If this is a question of green energy, then yes, solar power is better than coal because it is a renewable source. Coal is a fossil fuel that is non-renewable.
Why are solar power plants better than coal fired power plants?
because solar power is better for the earth. coal is a fossil fuel so it is getting scarce. wind powered is the best to use.
What was the relationship between the steam engine and the coal mine?
The steam engine needs coal, the coal comes from the coal mine
How is coal energy better than solar engery?
Most forms of solar energy rely on daylight, so solar energy can't be used during night, coal fired power stations can be used day and night.Coal power at it's simplest (coal fires) can be used for heating rooms and houses.
Are coal oil and gas examples of solar power?
no these are all fossil fuels
What can electricity from solar power be used for?
Electricity from solar power is the same as electricity from a coal-burning power plant. It's all the same, and it can be used to power anything that runs on electricity.
What is a alternative of coal?
there are many alternates to coal like wind power, solar power, geothermal, and there are other fossil flue alternatives like gas or propane.
