What are the most important pros and cons of solar energy? Before we answer this, what exactly is solar energy? To put it short, solar energy is the nuclear fusion processes that takes place on the Sun. It is the source of wind, hydroelectricity, tidal and wave energy (to name a few).

We know that we have been harnessing the power of the Sun at least since 700 B.C when human beings figured out how to make fires by using magnifying glass to concentrate sunlight. The technology has become much more sophisticated these days. The growth of photovoltaics and solar thermal power has grown with a tremendous rate the last decade.

Advantages of Solar Energy

• Solar energy is a renewable energy source. This means that we cannot run out of the solar reserves like we are doing with non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels, coal and nuclear fission. As long as the sun is shining, which is estimated to be another 6.5 billion years (NASA), we have solar energy. In fact, the sun will swallow Earth itself already 5 billion years from now.
• Solar energy is abundant. We probably won’t ever be able to harness all the energy that the sun has to offer. It is estimated that if we harnessed all the solar radiation that hits the earth, we could supply the entire world’s energy need 20,000 over.
• The ways we use to harness solar energy are green and non-polluting. However, this does not mean that the manufacturing, transportation and installation of solar systems are completely green.
• The generation of electricity with the use of photovoltaic cells is a rather quiet operation. This is not always the case for other technologies such as wind turbines.
• Solar energy is usable for a wide array of purposes. It can be used to generate electricity at places where connection the electrical grid can be difficult. Satellites in space and the Helios (a solar-powered aircraft) are good examples for this. Solar water heating and thermal energy are great ways to aid villages, which are too far from the grid, in the day-to-day life.
• Solar energy helps us reduce our dependence on non-renewable and non-green energy sources. This is an important step in fighting the climate crisis.
• Generating electricity from solar energy through the use of photovoltaics yields the highest power density of all renewable energy sources. The global mean power density is estimated to be about 170 W/m².

Disadvantages of Solar Energy

• As mentioned above, the manufacturing, transportation and installation of solar power energy systems can cause pollution.
• Solar energy is a fluctuating and unreliable energy source, meaning we still need to rely on other energy sources that can supply the baseload. Imagine overcast days with low radiation. Future energy systems will make solar more reliable (read this to get an idea: Grid Energy Storage – CAES, Pumped Hydro and Flywheel).
• The costs of solar energy are rather steep. It is important to look at an investment in residential in solar energy systems is a long-term solution, which will take a few years to earn back in terms of lower power bills.
• While solar power certainly is greener than fossil fuels, there are some problems: When solar cells are manufactured there are certain emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as disposal of byproducts. The last one is mainly a problem where the regulation of the manufacturing process is poor.Nitrogen trifluroide and sulfur hexafluoride can be traced back to manufacturing of solar panels. These are some of the most potent greenhouse gases and have many thousand times the impact on global warming as an equal amount of carbon dioxide.Vasilis M. Fthenakis, head at Photovoltaic Environmental Research Center states the following:

[quote type="center"]There’s nothing that’s completely risk-free, but photovoltaic compares very favorably with all other technologies.[/quote]

The drive forces behind the development of solar energy (as well as other renewable energy sources) are rooted in politics. It is absolutely necessary that there are financial incentives in place to make the technologies that harness solar energy cost-competitive.

If you want to learn more about solar energy check out 5 Solar Energy Facts That Will Blow Your Mind.