Importance and Future of Solar Energy

Anything that’s free and abundant is generally underrated and overlooked. Solar energy is one of them. It’s plenty and free and is waiting to be utilized

The use of solar energy isn’t new. It’s been existent ever since mankind lived. Its significance and usefulness was only overshadowed by the discovery of non-renewable fuels such as petroleum and fossil fuels. But, now that these very non-renewable fuels are nearing depletion, mankind has once again awakened to this abounding source of energy that requires almost nothing in return. 

Solar energy can either be converted to electricity or heat energy. Electricity can be generated from solar energy by using photovoltaic and solar thermal energy. The sun’s rays pass through the solar photovoltaic cells to directly get converted to electricity. Some applications of this electricity include running traffic signals, calculators and solar watches. 

Active and Passive Utilization

Solar energy can be used in two ways depending on how it’s captured and employed, namely active and passive. Active use of solar energy involves deploying mechanical equipment to capture, convert and store solar energy such as photovoltaic panels, solar thermal pumps and collectors, etc. 

Passive use of solar energy on the other hand, involves using the solar energy without any mechanical equipment for example, the practice of using window placement, walls, trees and other building techniques to deflect of capture the sun’s rays for use.   

Free of Environmental Impact

Generation of solar energy for use poses little or no environmental impact. While many may argue the use of silicon to produce photovoltaic panels poses environmental hazard, ensuring adequate precautions and regulatory measures solves the problem to a great extent. The conversion of solar energy into electricity does not cause pollution of any sorts too.

Solar Energy: Future

Solar energy is being looked upon with immense expectations. A number of countries such as Germany and Japan have already made headway into using solar energy in huge volumes. Shell has estimated that by 2040, half of the world’s energy will be generated using renewable energy sources, solar being the prime. 

Architects worldwide are considering and imbibing the advantages that solar energy has to offer in their designs. More and more green buildings are being constructed that aims at utilizing solar energy in the active and passive form. Solar hot water systems for instance, are giving conventional hot water systems a tough competition in terms of economy. Governments are also playing a huge role in the adoption of solar energy through financial support, subsidies and lower infrastructure costs. 

If a solar powered world is considered to be the-tomorrow, we’ve probably entered the future already!

What do you consider the biggest challenges in harnessing solar energy? Share your thoughts and opinions with us below. And, for more information on PV system installation, visit us at Lanco Solar Energy Pvt Ltd.