Solar Energy - Research Paper Example

Solar Energy Solar energy, which is energy that is derived directly from sunlight, is the most common source of renewable power in use today. Solar energy is a welcome solution to the environmental degradation that is caused by the use of fossil fuels. Solar energy is captured by means of solar panels which normally vary in size and voltage. These panels are composed of unique cells which capture solar energy which is then used or stored in other devices for later use (Benduhn 4).Pros and Cons of Solar EnergyThere are many advantages that come with the use of solar energy.

Apart from being a clean source of energy it is also infinite. This means that there is no limit to the amount of solar energy that can be captures since the energy itself is renewable. The maintenance costs of solar power are also quite low compared to other forms of energy (Thomas 11). It is also quite easy to install solar panels which are available at relatively low costs. Solar energy can also be used in any setting, be it at home or an industrial setting. Another main pro of solar energy is its reliability.

This is an energy source that will never be affected by geographical, economic or political upheavals (13). One of the major disadvantages of solar power is the fact that it is only available in places which have lots of sunshine. People who come from countries that are usually cold throughout cannot get as much solar energy as they would need for their daily use. Another disadvantage of solar energy is that it can only be captured during the day when there is enough sunlight. This means that one needs to have other forms of energy storage devices with which to store solar energy that has been captured during the day (Benduhn 34 and Thomas 22).

Solar Energy TodayToday, solar power is being used for many different purposes. It is used for domestic purposes that include heating, cooking, lighting, communications, operating spacecraft many others. People are turning to solar power as an alternative source of energy for use both at home and in industries. Solar panels are the most commonly used solar energy capturing equipment. In many cases, solar energy is being used as a source of backup energy in case of power failure. Healthcare facilities are embracing the use of solar energy in emergency situations.

Production industries are also slowly opening up to the idea of using solar power for their everyday operations.Solar Technology in the FutureThe future does look brilliant for solar energy. More and more people are becoming aware of the effects that fossil fuels have on the environment and they are turning to the safe and clean solar energy and an alternative source of power (Jones 87). As technology progresses, scientists are likely to develop better solar panels and solar energy systems which will make the collection and use of solar energy better.

The cost of fossil fuels keeps going up, while the cost of buying and maintain solar energy equipment is going down and this trend is not likely to reverse (Benduhn 4). This means that in time, use of solar energy will be more widespread than other forms of energy due to its affordability, safety, convenience and reliability. ConclusionThe use of solar energy is becoming increasingly popular as people opt for power sources that are cheap, reliable and environmental friendly. Although there might be some disadvantages associated with solar power, the pros far outweigh the cons.

Solar energy is useful in homes, health facilities and in industries. The future can only get better for the use of solar energy as more people turn to it as an alternative source of power. Investing in a solar panel or any other solar energy capturing system is much better than relying on other energy sources which are costly and harmful to the environment.Works CitedBenduhn, Tea. Solar Power. New York: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2009. Print. Jones, Susan. Solar Power of the Future: New Ways of Turning Sunlight into energy.

New York: Rosen, 2003. Thomas, Isabel. The Pros and Cons of Solar Power. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2008. Print.