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As you already know, our ecosystem is affected by ever-increasing greenhouse gases, emissions from the industrial sector, deforestation, and the use of resources without any limitations. Keeping climate issues in account, environmental degradation has been a pressing concern in the 21st century. So, to reverse the effect of climate change and give it back to mother earth, we are obligated to use renewable energy resources.
Renewable solar energy is used for many applications, some of them being heating homes in winter, providing electricity, helping you charge your electric vehicles etc. Unlike other fossil fuels [1], which are degradable, renewable energy, like solar energy, is generated naturally and can be used for a long period. In this article, we will discuss all the things that you must know about renewable solar energy. Read on!
Renewable Solar Energy: Overview
Over usage of fossil fuel is one of the main reasons for environmental degradation. They are not renewable, pollute the environment, and can also be dangerous if not used with caution. That’s why it is high time for us to conserve the environment by limiting our use of these traditional fuels that causes pollution. Moreover, fossil fuels are not environmentally sustainable and economically feasible. So, adopting renewable solar energy is one of the best options for reducing emissions.
Sun produces a tremendous amount of energy that we can store and use. Renewable solar energy is harnessed and stored using the photovoltaic cells present in the solar panels. These cells transform sunlight into energy used to run various home appliances, lights, and other things. Although relatively expensive, solar panels eventually pay for themselves and save you money on your electricity bills. The below section will discuss the facts about renewable solar energy.
Facts About Renewable Solar Energy
After decades of research, renewable solar energy has finally found its footing, and after much controversy, it is ready to become more mainstream. Its future looks promising, now more than ever, as solar plants continue to undercut fossil fuels at a price without subsidies.
Solar energy came into the picture in 1954. Since then, solar has become the economy’s fastest-growing sector, adding jobs at a rate six times that of the overall labour market. Moreover, using renewable solar energy whenever possible has a multitude of benefits to the environment, as well as the economy.
Solar installation has grown by 35% due to the cutting cost of solar panels. If you install solar panels, Alternating Current (AC), used in homes, batteries, or the larger electrical grid, is created by inverters from direct current (DC). Solar panels can be used to create utility-scale solar installations, community solar farms, and distributed energy systems that are either off-grid or connected to the grid. Here are the facts about renewable solar energy that most people don’t know about:
1. Solar Panels are Way Cheaper than Fossil Fuels
- Solar panels are cheaper than fossil fuels, and some countries provide incentives for installing solar panels. So, if you plan to install solar panels at home to use renewable solar energy, it is the best option to give back to the environment.
2. Solar Plants have Great Durability and can Last for More than 40 Years
- When a solar power plant is constructed, it is typically supported by a power purchase agreement that lasts 20 to 25 years with a customer (utility, business, or residential). However, this does not imply that these plants will have no use in two decades.
- Solar panels have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years, and the infrastructure surrounding a solar power plant is valuable as well. Therefore, a solar power plant has a very long useful lifespan once a site is established, and the infrastructure is installed.
3. Solar Panels Do Not Produce Pollutants
- Pollutants are not produced when solar panels are in use. Although they have a development footprint, large solar farms may have a smaller one than other land uses. Freshwater, which can be in short supply in regions best suited to solar power, may be used by solar farms to wash and cool the panels. This use is anticipated to range from 20 gallons per megawatt hour to 650 gallons per megawatt hour, depending on the system. But when we compare this with resource usage in coal plants, only the benefit of renewable solar power can be defined. It decreases carbon emissions from energy production.
4. Beneficial for the Nation
- It is quite expensive to produce or generate electricity with coal power. So, using renewable solar energy [2] can increase the security, reliability, and resilience of a nation’s power grid by being cost-effective.
5. Renewable Solar Energy Creates Plenty of Jobs for All
- Since the solar energy sector is comparatively newer, the rate of employment generation is greater than any other renewable energy sector. Renewable energy creates more jobs than any other source of energy. Moreover, 32% of the global renewable workforce is female, and this sector is still growing.
It has become crucial for our generation to conserve resources and shift to renewable energy sources like wind, solar and other forms of renewable energy. As one of the driving forces behind the automation and management of energy transition to the digital age, Schneider Electric is continuously working towards reducing its carbon footprint and adopting sustainable energy sources or renewable solar energy.
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