▷ Solar Energy: 8 Advantages and Disadvantages

The solar energy is one of the renewable energy which has grown the most in recent decadesSo it's very easy to produce. harnessed the inexhaustible electromagnetic radiation of the sun, to generate electricity, both on a large scale and for residential use, and even in many technological innovations.

This solar energy is an excellent alternative energy source, but, like all energy sources, it also It has great advantages and disadvantages., such as those described in the following table:

Advantages Advertisements	Disadvantages
It is a renewable and sustainable energy.	It depends on the weather conditions.
It does not produce greenhouse gases.	It is not a constant energy.
It does not require extraction of any material from nature.	It requires large tracts of land to exploit it on a large scale.
Better use of desert areas.	It has a great impact at the landscape level.
Reduces energy dependence.	It involves large initial investments.
It is easily available.	Needs outdoor areas.
Low maintenance cost.	It requires specialized personnel for its installation.
Promote technological developments.	Low efficiency in energy production.

As can be seen in the comparative table of advantages and disadvantages of solar energy, it offers great benefits despite its disadvantages, disadvantages that are relatively less than other sources of energy.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is a renewable energy which is obtained from the use of electromagnetic radiation produced by the sun, being an inexhaustible source of energy that It is used to produce electrical energy and heat energy.

How is solar energy harnessed?

Solar radiation is absorbed through small photovoltaic cells that integrate the sheets of the panels solar, which transform solar energy (small particles called photons), into electrical energy or caloric.

There are two ways to take advantage of or capture solar energy, to produce energy on a large scale or for domestic use, which are:

• Solar thermal energy (temperature): With this system, use solar heaters, known as solar collectors, which absorb heat from solar radiation for air conditioning systems, heating water, cooking, and generating mechanical energy.
• Photovoltaic solar energy (light): Use a system of solar panels that capture light energy particles called photons in solar radiation, and transform them directly into electrical energy.

8 Advantages and disadvantages of solar energy

Solar energy is an alternative source that stands out for its great advantages, although it also has its disadvantages, such as:

8 Advantages

It is a renewable and sustainable energy: Solar energy has the advantage of being a renewable energy, since, regardless of whether it is consumed on a large scale or not, it is not depletes, making it sustainable, being able to be consumed without restrictions, without compromising the solar energy of future generations.

Does not produce greenhouse gases: Solar energy is one of the cleanest renewable energies that exist, since, during its use through photovoltaic or thermal systems, it does not no toxic gas is released, being an energy free of greenhouse effects, since it does not use fossil fuels, making this a highly ecological energy.

It does not require the extraction of any material from nature: Since solar energy, as its name indicates, comes from the sun, it is not necessary to extract energy from existing resources in the planet, as in the case of fossil fuels, and even other renewable energy sources, such as hydropower or bioenergy.

Better use of desert areas: Desert areas around the world are primarily known for having high levels of sunlight and high temperatures as a result of strong solar radiation, being arid lands, not very fertile and difficult to leverage.

However, these same geographical conditions make these areas perfect for creating large solar fields and generating power on a large scale.

Reduce energy dependence: The need to acquire energy from foreign sources is reduced, taking advantage of solar radiation to generate energy and supply the population; In addition, at the residential or business level, the energy dependence of the network is also reduced local electricity, being able to implement collectors or solar panels to generate energy for their own self-consumption.

It is easily available: Although specialized technological equipment is required to take advantage of this energy, this equipment is easy to acquire on the market. There are different companies and suppliers dedicated to the sale, installation and maintenance of this equipment, available in all countries.

Low maintenance cost: Once the initial investment is made, it does not require large maintenance costs, only periodic preventive cleaning maintenance, since, Although they are very resistant to weather conditions, they are exposed to dirt, affecting the efficiency of solar panels to produce energy.

Maintenance is easy to perform and does not require specialized personnel, unless there are structural failures in the system.

Promotes technological developments: Every day they seek to develop new innovations to make more efficient use of solar energy, incorporating photovoltaic solar energy panels, in laptops, roofs, cars, even in airplanes, and others, in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and generate energy that is friendly to the environment atmosphere.

8 Disadvantages

Depends on weather conditions: The great disadvantage of solar energy is that it is affected by weather conditions, since it requires summers, and many hours of light during the day, hindering its ability to use in rainy seasons and days cloudy.

It is not a constant energy: Since 24 hours a day includes hours of light and hours of darkness, making it impossible to take advantage of this energy at night, in In tropical countries, the number of hours of light and darkness do not vary much, but in others, the hours of light are less during the fall and summer. winter.

It requires large tracts of land to take advantage of it on a large scale: Solar energy for domestic use, the equipment can be installed on roofs or rooftops, but in order to take advantage of it on a large scale, it requires large tracts of land in areas open, making it difficult to install in urban areas, which is why it is more common for large-scale solar power generation centers to be installed in areas away.

It has a great impact at the landscape level: The necessary equipment for the use of solar energy requires exposure in outdoor areas, affecting the aesthetic part of the buildings, and on a large scale, it is impossible for them to go unnoticed, affecting the natural panorama of the place.

It involves large initial investments: Solar energy equipment, whether thermal or photovoltaic, is expensive, since in addition to solar collectors and panels, it requires storage and backup systems, which requires a large initial investment, although its cost can be amortized in a few years, saving on utility bills. energy.

Needs outdoor areas: If you want to install a solar energy system, you must have enough space with access to areas with light constant, which is usually difficult if you live in large buildings and do not have access to rooftops, or areas green.

It requires specialized personnel for its installation: Solar energy systems and equipment require specialized people for their installation, which are not services that are easily available, the Technical equipment is provided by the vendor companies, and users depend on these companies not only for their installation, but also for the repair or correction of faults in the system.

Low efficiency in energy production: This is due to the fact that all the heat and light energy that is radiated in the photovoltaic panels cannot be fully used, only a fifth part is converted into electricity; It is expected that in a few years with new technological advances this energy can be used more efficiently.