Solar energy has been around for centuries, but only recently has it become economically feasible to use it on a large scale. It is no wonder that there has been a great surge in interest in this clean source of energy with the future of solar energy looking very promising.
“The amount of heat we are putting into oceans is equivalent to 5-6 Hiroshima atom bombs of energy per second, 24 hours a day, every day of the year!” John Abraham, University of St. Thomas
Let’s just take a while to let that sink in.
Present Climate Facts (Source: NASA)
- Increase in Sea level by 4 inches since 1993
- The past 20 years have seen the warmest ocean temperatures
- Nineteen of the warmest years have occurred since 2000
- The concentration of Carbon dioxide is 418 ppm
Negative Impacts of Climate Change:
Unpredictable weather patterns, hotter summers, rising sea levels, and loss of wildlife and biodiversity are all changes happening around us as we are going by our daily lives. The global climate crisis is real and we are in the midst of it. If things go unchecked, these negative impacts will grow in severity and frequency bringing chaos to nature and human communities.
Our current activities have become a threat to the future of our planet. To preserve the Earth’s ecosystem, we have to make some changes to our lifestyles such as switching to renewable sources like solar and wind.
The earlier we start making changes the better it’ll get for our future generations.
Fossil Fuels: The Culprits of Climate Change
Fossil fuels are carbon-rich deposits made of decomposed plants, animals, and other organisms, that have been buried in the earth for thousands of years together. They include coal, natural gas, and oil and provide heat, electricity and run trucks, cars, and factories. These non-renewable sources account for 80% of the world’s energy.
When fossil fuels are burned, they release greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere which increases the Earth’s average air temperature. The greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere leading to them being the major contributors to global warming and causing climate change.
What is Solar Energy: The Alternative?
Sun is the greatest source of energy for life on earth. Solar energy is the energy from the sun and we can harness it in different ways. Photovoltaic devices convert light energy from the sun into electricity which can then be used in both residential and commercial setups.
Why Solar Energy?
As the human population is ever increasing and so is the energy consumption, we cannot depend on depleting non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels. Solar might be one way to support our energy needs as it is plentiful and globally available.
How Solar Energy Protects our Environment
When we reduce the use of fossil fuels there’s a decrease in the amount of greenhouse gases generated. There are no greenhouse gas emissions when solar panels are used in electricity generation.
The bright future of Solar Energy
Solar energy is the future of the energy industry. Owing to rapid development in novel solar power technologies we are heading towards fulfilling the worldwide increasing demand for energy in a cleaner manner.
With governments providing subsidy schemes and supporting solar installations, the future of solar energy is favourable.
New technological advances in solar panel efficiency over the last two decades have contributed to an augmented increase in solar power. As solar technology continues to improve, we’re seeing smaller and more affordable solar panels. These new panels are much better at converting sunlight into electricity, so they can produce more energy with less space. There is constant research going on to find alternative designs for more efficient solar cells leading to further cost reduction.
One of the most sustainable, beneficial and inexhaustible resources, solar energy is becoming an affordable and preferred option.
Some of the reasons why it trumps current energy sources include –
- Lower electricity bills
- Mitigation of climate change
- Reduction in air pollution
- No Blackouts during stormy weather
- Reducing carbon footprint
- Improves health and well-being
- Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels can help reduce the impact of oil spills and other environmental
Conclusion:
With conventional sources of energy being exhaustible, the move to environmentally friendly solar energy is inevitable. It is a sustainable and cost-effective source of energy that can be used to power homes and businesses. By using solar energy, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and help fight climate change. The future of solar energy is indeed positive!
