solar energy Essay

Submitted By gabbasurf
Words: 517
Pages: 3

In our society, almost everything powered is because of electricity. Electricity has been the main source of energy since the 1800’s. As more and more people are realizing the substantial, irreversible damage of fossil fuels, and that the cost of electricity is rising, they are seeking alternatives. Eventually, fossil fuels will run out. As opposed to fossil fuels that are un-renewable, you cannot run out of solar power. According to NASA, we have the sun for another 6.5 billion years! Our sun, the center of our universe is roughly 27 million degrees. Although only a little bit of those rays reach us, it is still enough to power the whole world. There are 3 types of solar panels: Monocrystalline, the most efficient and most expensive, Polycrystalline, the most common, a little less efficient, and a lot less expensive, and Amorphous Silicon or “Thin Film”, the cheapest, not effected by shading, but their efficiency is lowest. On your average day, the sun shines about 1,000 watts of energy per square meter, and that is more than enough energy to power our electricity needs. There are lots of pros and cons facing this controversial subject. Fossil fuels are easy, and standard, where as no one really knows anything about solar energy just yet. Fossil fuels will run out eventually, it’s time to learn. Solar energy is renewable, and abundant. “The surface of the earth receives 120,000 terawatts of solar radiation – 20,000 times more power then what is needed to supply the entire world.” As well as being renewable, and abundant, it is sustainable. There will be no way to over consume solar energy because sustainable energy sources only meet the needs of the present. The next is clear, environmental friendliness. Although with manufacturing, transporting, and installing come emissions, the damage is minuscule compared to the damage that non-renewable energy sources have on our earth. “It is clear that solar energy reduces our dependence on non-renewable energy sources. That is an important step in fighting the climate crisis.” xpensive, and Amorphous Silicon or “Thin Film”, the cheapest, not effected by