When we think of the sun, we often picture warmth and summer days. We look forward to sunshine, as the exposure lifts our spirits and feeds the life living on our planet. And beyond providing organisms with energy to function properly, the sun has now become a powerful source of energy that powers our homes, offices, and other industries.
The use of solar energy has gained momentum in recent years, especially when we talk about sustainability. In many ways, the growing consciousness of human impact on the planet has fueled a switch to solar power in various industry sectors and in people’s homes.
By harnessing the power of a renewable resource like the sun to generate electricity, we reduce our impact on the environment. So, how exactly does solar energy work, and how does it compare to common nonrenewable energy sources like fossil fuels? Here are the answers to all your questions about solar energy.
The Current State of Power Generation and Supply in Our World
When you picture advanced living in private homes or a nation at large, adequate power supply often makes it to the top of the list. Electrical power generation is an important prerequisite for growth and development. Without a doubt, various sectors require power to function properly. From agriculture to manufacturing industries, energy is necessary for development.
Plus, we need electricity within our homes to enjoy a comfortable standard of living. It heats and cools our homes, provides light, charges our devices, and powers WiFi, connecting us to the rest of the world.
To obtain power or electricity supply, many homes and industries largely rely on public power plants. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), three-quarters of homes in the U.S. use at least two energy sources. In this light, the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity become a resource-intensive process. For any nation to ensure its power independence, it requires a standard power industry.
However, the way we generate electricity is largely divided into two: nonrenewable and renewable resources.
Nonrenewable Resources
On one hand, we use nonrenewable resources like coal, natural gas, and oil. As the name suggests, nonrenewable resources are those natural sources that once used up, cannot be replaced. They are limited in supply and are therefore finite resources. Although the planet can replenish them, we can’t get them back at the speed at which we consume them.
Coal, oil, and natural gas are known as fossil fuels—and civilization heavily depends on these resources. Many nations use them as a primary source of energy. Apart from electricity generation, we also use nonrenewable resources as fuel for vehicles and heating systems. Every year, about 80% of the total energy we use globally comes from fossil fuels, according to National Geographic.
Since we largely depend on these resources in our various societies, …….
Source: https://brightly.eco/how-solar-energy-benefits-environment/