what are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

Question

what are the benefits of using solar power as an alternative energy source and also the disadvantages.
This is for a school assignment and i need the answers fairly soon.

If you could tell me how solar power works and if u dont know could u give me any websites for them

Thanks heaps

Answer 1

The terms solar power and solar energy are often used synonymously but solar power usually refers to photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar thermal technologies that convert sunlight into electricity. In the case of solar PV, the process is direct, via silicon-based cells; in the case of concentrating solar thermal, the process involves heating a transfer fluid to produce steam to run a generator. While PV has advantages in terms of simplicity, the high temperatures produced by solar thermal systems also can provide process heat and steam for a variety of secondary commercial applications (cogeneration).

The utilization of solar energy ranges from traditional and basic technologies (related to food, heat and light) to modern, utility-scale power generation systems.

Saves you money

* After the initial investment has been recovered, the energy from the sun is practically FREE.
* The recovery/ payback period for this investment can be very short depending on how much electricity your household uses.
* Financial incentives are available form the government that will reduce your cost. (visit www.dsireusa.org to find out about incentives available in the state you live in!).
* If your system produces more energy than you use, your utility company can buy it from you, building up a credit on your account! This nifty little scheme is called "net-metering".

* It will save you money on your electricity bill if you have one at all.
* Solar energy does not require any fuel.
* It's not affected by the supply and demand of fuel and is therefore not subjected to the ever-increasing price of gasoline.
* The savings are immediate and for many years to come.
* The use of solar energy indirectly reduces health costs.

Environmentally friendly

* Solar Energy is clean, renewable (unlike gas, oil and coal) and sustainable, helping to protect our environment.
* It does not pollute our air by releasing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide or mercury into the atmosphere like many traditional forms of electrical generation does.
* Therefore Solar Energy does not contribute to global warming, acid rain or smog.
* It actively contributes to the decrease of harmful green house gas emissions.
* It's generated where it is needed.
* By not using any fuel, Solar Energy does not contribute to the cost and problems of the recovery and transportation of fuel or the storage of radioactive waste.

Independent/ semi-independent

* Solar Energy can be utilized to offset utility-supplied energy consumption. It does not only reduce your electricity bill, but will also continue to supply your home/ business with electricity in the event of a power outage.
* A Solar Energy system can operate entirely independently, not requiring a connection to a power or gas grid at all. Systems can therefore be installed in remote locations (like holiday log cabins), making it more practical and cost-effective than the supply of utility electricity to a new site.
* The use of Solar Energy reduces our dependence on foreign and/or centralized sources of energy, influenced by natural disasters or international events and so contributes to a sustainable future.
* Solar Energy supports local job and wealth creation, fuelling local economies.

Low/ no maintenance

* Solar Energy systems are virtually maintenance free and will last for decades.
* Once installed, there are no recurring costs.
* They operate silently, have no moving parts, do not release offensive smells and do not require you to add any fuel.
* More solar panels can easily be added in the future when your family's needs grow.



More about Solar energy advantages disadvantages
Solar Energy Disadvantages

* The initial cost is the main disadvantage of installing a solar energy system, largely because of the high cost of the semi-conducting materials used in building one.
* The cost of solar energy is also high compared to non-renewable utility-supplied electricity. As energy shortages are becoming more common, solar energy is becoming more price-competitive.
* Solar panels require quite a large area for installation to achieve a good level of efficiency.

* The efficiency of the system also relies on the location of the sun, although this problem can be overcome with the installation of certain components.
* The production of solar energy is influenced by the presence of clouds or pollution in the air.
* Similarly, no solar energy will be produced during nighttime although a battery backup system and/or net metering will solve this problem. See www.dsireusa.org for details on how net metering allows you to save electricity and money.
* As far as solar powered cars go - their slower speed might not appeal to everyone caught up in today's rat race.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Advantages are that you get free power that is environmentally friendly (no CO2 admissions like from conventiona power, which is mostly derived from burning coal), you can also sell your excess power back to the public utility.

Disadvantages are that its very expensive to start up, it only works during the day - so you have to store power in batteries for use at night or use power from the public utility. Most people who get solar power cannot afford enough panels to get 100% of their power from the sun, so most people get what averages out to about 70% of their power needs met.

A good website for more info:

www.solarelectricpower.org

Answer 4

Solar power works via physics. It relies on sunlight to heat water. After that, it either generates electricity via steam-driven turbines, or conductivity. I'm pretty sure it's the second.

The advantages is that it's energy efficient, helps conserve water, and basically help keep our world running.

The disadvantage is that solar power is somewhat difficult to generate; solar panel installation is costly, because a pipeline system around your whole house to move your water has to be installed. Also, although it doesn't need fossil fuels, it does require a long time for assembly and construction.

Answer 5

Advantages:- Savings of fossil fuel. If, passive solar energy is used like warming your home through glass windows from direct sun light during the day. You could save electric or gas energy during the night if the contents in the house are warmed up particularly black clothes, blankets etc. They would give up heat at night.
Disadvantage:- You could use solar panels and store electric energy in batteries. But, the cost of solar panels and batteries is still too high to be economic

Answer 6

I have a solar power house. The biggest advantage is no power bill. Pulse no pollution. The sun has to hit your place all day. You don't get any power when it is not sunny. We have a back up generator for rainy days. Our batteries only last about 3 days before needing recharging. The system is expensive, but pay for its self in 7 to 10 years and lasts about 50 years.
http://www.homepower.com/
http://www.hardydiesel.com/
http://acemtf.com/usasolar/index.html

Answer 7

Advantages: available solar power is a very large number, renewable, clean.

Disadvantages: low energy density, cost, nights or cloudy conditions.

Large Powerpoint file (10Mb) by Nathan Lewis of Cal Tech which also covers the pros/cons of other energy sources:
http://nsl.caltech.edu/files/energy.ppt

If you just need to know how solar (photovoltaic cells) work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic

Answer 8

I don't think anyone has made it clear that the heat collected from the sun heats water in the system. The hot water is used to heat a home with water or oil filled radiators. I think it could even be used by a forced air heating system if the air is blown through a grid (like an automobile radiator) and the heated air is sent to the registers in each room of a house.

Dandy

Answer 9

- RENEWABLE unlimted source (sun never runs out, if it does we're dead anyway)
-no pollution
-versatile, can be used for many things like batteries, garden lights etc
-no maintenance
-pannels are silent
-easy to install in individual houses
-inexpensive compared to other fuel

disadvantages
-doesnt work at night
-rainy places cant use it effectively
-manufacturing pannels cause some pollution
-needs large areas of pannels to produce a significant amount of energy

hope that helps. Im also doing a similar project :)

Answer 10

solar power means it's fueled by the sun, it's good for the environment and an alternative to electricity.

Answer 11

solar power is a good alternative, saves a bundle of money,
but it can be expensive, very expensive.
where there is a lot of desert such as israel, solar power is uded.
i do not know of any web sights off hand, but i am sure you
can search for some. hope this helps and good luck.