Solar
Energy Paper
Environmental
Studies
Warner
Pacific College
April
4, 2014
Solar
energy is also known as “Solar photovoltaic
generation, known as PV.” Solar energy has a much greater benefit to
other such as water and wind. Wind technology is currently loud, and takes a
great amount of space to utilize the machines as well as needs a great amount
of wind with very little electrical outcome. Water energy I think is a more
effective energy source than wind due to the fact we could implement a better
dam system to utilize the dams we have already built. We unfortunately have not
as a society been able to expand on the idea of water but I know some companies
are exploring better options to utilize this resource. Solar energy however, is
in the infancy of its technology. I think as they explore better materials to
utilize the suns energy we will see more and more solar energy being utilized.
Currently, solar energy is the most effective and condensed equipment to
produce energy. “Based on comparative
life-cycle analyses of power sources, “PV electricity contributes 96 percent to
98 percent less greenhouse gases than electricity generated from 100 percent
coal and 92 percent to 96 percent less greenhouse gases than the European
electricity mix,” said Carol Olson, a researcher at the Energy Research Center
of the Netherlands. “Compared with electricity from coal, PV electricity over
its lifetime uses 86 to 89 percent less water, occupies or transforms over 80
percent less land, presents approximately 95 percent lower toxicity to humans,
contributes 92 to 97 percent less to acid rain, and 97 to 98 percent less to
marine eutrophication,” she said. Eutrophication is the discharge of excess
nutrients that causes algal blooms” (Powers,
2013). With these numbers solar energy by far is the safest and most
effective source of energy within this wave of new energy technology.
Within my past experience the only problem with solar energy
is the materials use. The solar companies are having difficulty with increasing
the battery power of the cells within the panel. They are also looking into
increasing the longevity of the solar panels themselves. As of right now solar
panels last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced. “A typical solar
panel produces around 200 watts of power. There’s a little bit of variation on
this, based on the size and efficiency of the solar panel you choose; you’ll
see panels that produce 205, 210, even 230 watts” (Llorens, 2012). This is only a fraction of you use within a day.
This is where the technology does have room to expand.
Solar energy is by far the most prospective new energy source for
society. There are growth opportunities within this technology that are limited
to wind and water. If scientist and inventors discover a new material to create
these cells than solar panels will be used by not just the few who can afford
them but by all and will help not only us as society but our environment as
well.
References
Llorens, D. (2012). How
much electricity does a solar panel produce? Retrieved from Solar Power
Rocks:
http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar-basics/how-much-electricity-does-a-solar-panel-produce/
Powers, D. S. (2013,
November 11). Solar Power Begins to Shine as Environmental Benefits Pay Off.
Retrieved from The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/business/energy-environment/solar-power-begins-to-shine-as-environmental-benefits-pay-off.html?_r=2&
SolarWorld. (2013,
January). Made in America. Retrieved from SolarWorld:
http://www.solarworld-usa.com/why-choose-solarworld/solar-panels-made-in-usa
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